Caught by Catcher in the Rye? Not so sure...

My monthly book club is meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss this month's book selection: Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. Written in 1951, this novel is about a teenage names Holden Caulfield who is struggling with the transition from youth to adulthood.

This novel has been advanced as one of America's best fictional works. It has regularly made the top 100 most influential American novels ever published. I'll finish with my thoughts on that ranking, but first a general summary:

The author conveys a very detailed portrayal of a teenager who is suffering from adolescent confusion, angst, alienation.  I have to admit that Salinger's character development of the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is very well rounded. I clearly understan Caulfield's character and he is an entirely believable (but totally annoying) teenager who was struggling through the most complex time of his life.

The plot, while not very complicated, is linear and easily followed. The story slowly builds up to a "rebellion" of sorts with Caulfield going on a huge "bender". The protagonist rejects his parental expectations by flunking out of numerous exclusive private school, and throwing off any responsibility to mature. He wants to reject everyone else's expectations, and chart a new course--strike out and break away. As the story progresses his actions become more erratic and the tension continues to mount as he begins to spin out of control.

While I was reading this novel, I couldn't help feel that Salinger did capture the feelings of angst ridden teenagers who feel trapped in their lives. His main character feels he is suffocating, and needs to strike out.  Caulfield's thoughts and accusations (ie everyone is "phony") ring true of disgruntled teenagers these days. Perhaps Salinger does hit on some common underlying themes of a certain developmental stage in life.

Now, did I enjoy the novel? Not really. Throughout the novel, I felt I was witnessing a train wreck--some one who was obviously suffering a manic episode and in need of serious medical help. I found it difficult to watch. Maybe that demonstrates Salinger's success as a novelist. He has created something that elicits emotion and forces the reader to take notice of the reality of teenage struggles.

It always drive me crazy when Oprah and others create a "list of essential" or "top 10" novels of all time. Invariably, it ends up being a reflection of high school English reading requirements. Why does this always happen? I'm convinced that this novel is so commonly forwarded as a great work because the readers haven't read a whole lot of other writing. (Ok, so if you've read this blog this far, I would expect this last statement to draw out some comments!)

There's not doubt that Holden Caulfield  is a believable portrait of teenage rebellion, but to claim that the novel is iconic or an essential read is a huge stretch. I think there are other works of fiction that are more important and more entertaining. At least, that's my opinion!