The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)

Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old getting kicked out of (yet another) elite boarding school. He leaves a few days early to hang out in his home town, New York City, before going home.  The Catcher in the Rye is his stream-of-consciousness observations, musings, and rantings at the world over this period. His general theme is that "People are always ruining things for you."

I'm not sure what to think of this. At first, I hated it. It is an angsty teen's profanity-laced, book-length complaint (with a few things he likes sprinkled amongst much he cannot stand). Though his observations (on how fake people can be and other 'dumb stuff') may be valid, he unashamedly practices (and even flaunts) his own sins and appears blatantly self-absorbed, resigned to a disappointing life. So initially, I was not impressed.

As I read, though, I came to appreciate the reason the book is revered—it is an interesting lens through which to capture our innate fallenness. Holden does show compassion in places, appreciating the plight of others and the sadness around him. And he kept asking people (a taxi driver, a random kid, and others) if they want to get a drink with him; their consistent rejections mirror what we all feel from time to time. So there is some value here—but there is little hope. It is glimpsed only briefly, near the end, from a former teacher who points out that 

you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them—if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement.

I'll conclude using the narrator's own words: "If you want to know the truth, I don't know what I think about it." But I will say "You had to feel a little sorry for the crazy sonuvabitch."

Rating: B-