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The Catcher in the Rye: A Book Flowing from the Heart of a Teenager
Having passed more than 50 years from the
publishing of "Catcher in the Rye", author J.D Salinger has not given one interview since 1970, when a play of his failed in being transplanted to the big screen. This constant reclusion made the figure of the author a hero strapped in shadows. Mysterious, all those trying to enter his quiet zone and mind were rejected.
"The Catcher in the Rye" follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenager like no other, and at the same time like every other teenager. He holds little fears, and many dreams. He feels pity, extreme love or hate for those surrounding him, being passionate and strong minded. He dislikes movies, adores her sister Phoebe and is pretty much a loner, having his brother Allie die young and reaching to him in times of solitude. and is stuck in a limbo in which he can´t fully decide what to do with his life. He failed in his third school, and has to leave school early because of being expelled. He fears that if he goes home to his parents they will find out of his expulsion. He decides he has three days to spend on Manhattan before holidays arrive, and he can return safe home.
Until now, it sounds like a common, average story. Yet Holden´s trip through the city will be mainly at night, and we shall be the ones that bring the light to the story. All of the varying myriad of characters that Holden will take are not stereotypes, but human beings and perfect creatures of their environment. Holden will be alone, and we will find in him shelter as we also travel those dark spaces in Manhattan. The quick empathy will make Holden the perfect anti-hero, that will slowly gain the reader´s heart.
J.D Salinger has not the characteristics of being the author of this books. You can picture the writer being extremely joyful and energetic after reading the book, yet he is just the opposite. It is nice to envelop in the story of a man who feels and felt lonely through time, trying to unravel slowly his mind and reaching the heart of his matter, and find the Holden in him. This is like a rough picture of Jekyll and Hyde, two souls in one man. None is evil. Reader has to understand this fascinating character and at the same time use his experiences as a motor.
If anyone ever was a teenager, is or still has the soul of one, "The Catcher in the rye" will make a deep and lovely experience for him/her. Fonding with the written, the Holden within will arise.
Published: February 04, 2008