The Catcher In The Rye

J. D. Salinger
Published 1951
Ranked #64 of the 100 best novels of the 20th Century by the Modern Library

I'm sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody

  Although targeted at adults, the themes and language used by Salinger tend to appeal more to the adolescent readers.  The casual lexical choices make this novel somewhat “approachable”, enabling the usually younger reader easily capable of grasping deep concepts such as rebellion, sexuality and self awareness.  The use of a male protagonist is especially effective, as it breaks away from the age old convention for men to maintain a strong exterior.  Unlike many other novels to which ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ can be compared to such as ‘Vernon God Little’ by D.B.C. Pierre and Lionel Shriver’s ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’, Salinger successfully portrays the awkward turbulent battles a young man must endure without melodrama; through excessive profanity or over-sexualising his novel, thereby making it easier for the reader to empathise with his protagonist.  Arguably through the use of what is often regarded as a groundbreaking new style of writing (which many following authors unsuccessfully emulate) and a subversion of classical gender roles, Salinger has created a modern masterpiece.

  I am so happy that this can never be turned into a film, the action within this novel is too thin of a veneer to make it watchable.  No amount of theatrical technique could do this beautiful piece of work justice.

4/5