The Catcher In The Rye – J D Salinger

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Chosen by Suzy

A native New Yorker named Holden Caulfield leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days. During these days he seeks solace in fleeting encounters and wonders about the true meaning of life

A coming-of-age elegy to teenage alienation, capturing need for connection and the sense of loss as we leave childhood behind.

The book was immensely popular for many years, especially among teenagers and young adults, largely because of its fresh, brash style and anti-establishment attitudes—typical attributes of many people emerging from the physical and psychological turmoil of adolescence.

I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff—I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.

⚈ “I have read this book every 2-3 years since I was a teenager and Holden Caulfield is still one of my all-time favourite anti-heroes.  Many of the book’s characters & their traits are so recognisable.  I heart you Holden, although it worries me that as I get closer to 40 years old I still find you so relatable xx.” – Suzy

⚈ “An advantage of reading a classic some decades after it’s been written is the ability to recognise the influence said work has had on many modern day novels. Felt like I had known this story all my life and absorbed it fully and willingly. I especially enjoyed the use of time and timelessness. Holden wanders through the hours without the normal human requirements for sleeping and eating, Rather the world is revolving around him (as every teenager of every generation feels it should!) and I felt pulled into his dreamy world. A must read.” – Rachel

⚈ “A classic for good reason, loved it!” – Nadine

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Published 1951
Little Brown & Co
224 pages