This isn’t a story; this is an expedition into an overtly cynical adolescent mind. Holden Caulfield, the 16 year old narrator is definitely not a character that makes you wish to grow up like him. He isn’t a hero, nor is he an antagonist. He is a young man on the cusp of childhood and adulthood, a reclusive teenager. And through him Salinger has spoken for himself and for young people everywhere, who as adolescent find themselves unbefitting in the world full of people, they regard as, hypocritical, mawkish and contemptible, and whom Holden often referred to as, phony, corny and crumby. At first the character of Holden appears to be very hilarious and witty because of his sarcastic tone and his vivid way of expressing his feelings. He is extremely judgmental and criticize almost everybody and everything. He also appears to be a noncompliant, difficult and restless kid. Though, as his mind unfurls, something about his angst and alienation, his restlessness and his peculiar way of cynically putting it across, resonates powerfully with the reader. One of his many peculiarities is his attitude towards sex. At an age of 16, when regular teenagers start discovering and exploring their sexuality, Holden feels that sex should happen between people who respect and care for each other. The lad, who appears childish at first with poor attention span, distractibility, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity, comes out to be rather sensitive and perceptive. Some of his thoughts even surprise the reader with the deep wisdom. His annoying and rebellious exterior hides a sad and desperately lonely boy, who has witnessed some terrible experiences in life and who is lost and overwhelmed by the pressure to grow up, and to conform to a bland cultural norm.
This book offers something to every reader. Some may empathize with Holden, others will absolutely despise him. Some will find his wry humor entertaining and some will be offended by the way he puts the blatant truth across. Written in conversational American English of mid-20th Century, the lavish use of slangs makes this an interesting and fun read.
- Shruti Srivastava
While on the first page of the book it felt more like a piece of teen age conversation than writing, and having read a bag full of classics this one did not appeal to me much. But boy was I wrong! Once I flipped through a few pages I just could not put this one down. This is the sort of book for which you take a day off work and just read. Not having to worry about anything else, Holden Caulfield keeps you entertained and gripped.
The protagonist is a 16 year old boy who has just been expelled from his school. This is not a story but merely an analysis of a confused mind with which, at certain points, the reader thoroughly associates. In a direction less, sardonic, morally and spiritually troubled boy of 16 Salinger has produced, a personal opinion, one of the most adorable characters in literature. While a major victim of digression, Caulfield often brings forth the bogus stereotypes, whether it is in the form of thoughts or people that are prominent in today’s world.
Easy, light and utter fun, this is one book you definitely don’t want to miss.
- Anubhav Srivastava
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