Catcher in the Rye - what do you think?

[Nomilynn]

We just read this novel for my class at university, and one girl was saying how she thought Holden was a pompous, arrogant jerk. I was really suprised - I saw him as a sweet, loving and gentle person who was deeply sorrowful about his brother's passing. If you have read the book, what did you think of Holden? I'd be really interested to know.

[wolf_Q]

I read that book (actually I read it because of the movie, Conspiracy Theory lol)....but it's been too long...I really don't remember much about it, sorry.

[Nomilynn]

It's a very good book.. I really really liked it. I just really didn't see the spin this girl was trying to put on it.

Naomi , who is the writer of this book ? Maybe I read it in Dutch ?
If not , I am always happy to learn about other bboks . My hubby and I , we are both "busy" readers !

[slleipnir]

I read it in grade 11. I actually thought it was an ok book, I agree with you though for the most part, I think he was just a little disturbed or something lol. Theres a movie called "Chasing Holden" or something..I only saw a little of it, but I guess it has something to do with some kid trying ot find the author of the book..

[slleipnir]

Lut: the author os J.D. Salinger

[Ann]

It's one of the only books my boyfriend likes, so I bought it (very expensively) at a bookstore that carries English books.

I really liked it a lot, and Holden is very similar to my boyfriend, both in character and what they've been true. So I can't either see where that girl is coming from... I thought he was a very nice person.

That book had a lot of good quotes too. My two favorites were "Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." and "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.".

Lut, I doubt it's been translated... Hasn't been translated to Swedish so I doubt it has been translated to Dutch...

[mugsy]

I did a search on Google and found that there is both a Swedish translation (without the swear words) and Dutch of Catcher in the Rye.

I tried reading it, but just couldn't get into it. I haven't figured out yet why it's on so many banned book lists.

[Ann]

Without the swear words? What do you mean? I didn't remember all that many swear words in the book and I know for a fact that Sweden would never censor books, especially not for cussing (everyone cusses in Sweden and it's not seen as obscene or bad manners either). It's on banned book lists? I'm completely confused now! I don't get why that would be banned... I thought things like that was over and done with after Lady Chatterley's Lover in the 1800s!

[mugsy]

Oh no....there are books out there that for one reason or another groups decide are immoral or whatever and ban them. I've heard of in the South even as late as the 70s that they burned books. Now, for what reason CITR would be banned, I have no clue.


As for leaving the swear words out in Sweden, all I know is what I saw when I went on Google, so I can't speak to that.

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by Ann
... and I know for a fact that Sweden would never censor books, especially not for cussing (everyone cusses in Sweden and it's not seen as obscene or bad manners either).

How in goodness's name would you ever know something like that "for a fact"??????

[Nomilynn]

This novel has been banned for it's swear words (continiued use of "godd**m" - I suppose that's a bad word for 1945 when it was written (I think)- and the "F" word), as well as it's portrayal of a boy without a good relationship with his parents. Also, it's seen as distasteful that there really isn't a happy ending. Although many books written now don't have happy endings and are seen as valuable, back in "the day" this was written, books were meant to have happy endings and wrap things up nicely, as way to show adolescents, "see? now, don't fuss!" There is also the scene with homosexual overtones that would make a lot of people uncomfortable.

There are a lot of books that are censored that are a suprise. Even "Peter Rabbit" has been banned because it portrays middle class ideals and a child who is disobedient. I personally think censorship is much more damaging than helpful, but don't get me started - this is a subject I could go on and on about and I'm very passionate about, because I want to be an English teacher, and because I wasn't censored as a child from any book.

Oh, and I did a search through the "Alan Review" about CITR - one parent "counted "over 700 obscenities and over 100 profane uses of the name of God" in The Catcher in the Rye" ".. censors make it their full time job to rob people of opportunity, and it comes out of fear that one day, they might actually have to answer an uncomfortable question But that's just my opinion.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Oh no....there are books out there that for one reason or another groups decide are immoral or whatever and ban them. I've heard of in the South even as late as the 70s that they burned books

Regrettably this goes on in school districts today. Tom Sawyer is one that gets banned and comes immediately to mind. Speaks to the power of the written word doesn't it -- when people are afraid?

BTW...I read CITR years ago. It was a kind of "rite of passage." I wasn't shocked but I found Hollton rather self-absorbed and boring which would be a good description for JD Salinger as well.

All a matter of personal taste!

[Crikit]

I read that book in grade 11 and I quite enjoyed it...so much that I went out and bought a copy of it for myself from work, in case I decide to read it again. Actually now that I think about it I liked most of the books that we read in high school I discovered one of my fave books because of englsih class.

[Logan]

Silly me! I know I have read it and it was controversial at the time, but it was required reading when I was in high school. I don't remember a thing about it except those facts (controversial and required). That was in the late 70's........maybe I should read it again.

Logan