by Jen Groce

Created on: March 09, 2007   Last Updated: October 28, 2010

The Catcher in the Rye was written in the 1940's by J.D. Salinger and chronicles several days in the life of main character Holden Caulfield. Holden is a teenage boy who attends an all boys school, the last of many for him. The story picks up on the day that Holden is expelled from his latest school. Holden leaves school, heads to New York and spends a few days on his own meeting strange characters because he is afraid to go home.

This is a train of thought piece that shows you Holden's thoughts and feelings about every situation he gets himself into and every person he meets along the way. His is the epitome of teenage thought, drowning in slang and passionate opinions about what life should be like. He convinces himself of his disinterest for everyone and everything in this boring life from night clubs to prostitutes, Hollywood phonies and average Joe phonies while liberally applying himself to cigarettes and alcohol.

The only bright spot in his days is his little sister Phoebe, whom he goes to great lengths to talk to without his parents presence. Phoebe is the only person he feels is genuine and interesting to talk to. As he spends time with Phoebe, he comes to realize how far he has fallen in his descent into depression and madness, and the past few days are a perfect example of someone who has lost control and lost himself.

The only question is whether his depression is to blame for his actions, or are his actions responsible for his depression and detachment from society? Could anyone who had been paying attention have helped him through the rough spots, or was it meant to be an ordeal for him?

I enjoyed reading about New York during that era and finding out that some things in life never change, even with all the advancements and new opportunities of modern generations. Every person needs to find their balance and their place in the world; for Holden that knowledge came with a big price and a large lesson to learn at a young age. I thought this book was very well written and very thought provoking. Has society changed so much in the last sixty years, or is there always the common thread of human growth and suffering that will make every generation of life the same?

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