Book Review: The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye. By J.D. Salinger. New York: Back Bay Books. Renewed, 1979.

For the past several years I have attempted to introduce myself to the classics for a couple of reasons. First, I was not studious at all during my school years so I didn’t read any books, except the Bible. Second, I thought it might be helpful to gain cultural understanding and awareness. That being said, Catcher in the Rye has almost convinced me of the futility of this practice!

A couple characteristics of this book are glaring weaknesses, in my humble opinion. The language is horrific throughout. I understand that I will encounter course, foul language in a secular novel. That’s one thing. However, Salinger seems unable to express his character without using an expletive in almost every single line! As is the case when movies are labeled “Pervasive Language,” so with this novel, the language destroyed it! For this reason alone, I could not recommend Catcher to anyone.

Furthermore, the novel never really gets anywhere, and maybe that’s the point. (I’m certainly not an expert literary critic!) For example, I had no idea how the title fit the story until the end of chapter 22. There is no plot, climax, turning point, resolution, answer, lesson, insight, unless of course the reader makes up his own. Again, that is probably the intention of the author but when a story ends without an ending it leaves me thinking, “That was a waste of my time.”

Now here is a shocker after such strong criticism. I believe there is one incredibly redeeming value in Salinger’s work! It is an excellent description of how utterly hopeless, horribly void, and entirely unfulfilled a life can be without Christ! I tend to think that Salinger did not set out to make this point, but his description of a human being without any real, true, lasting purpose is exactly how life turns out when salvation and reconciliation are absent. Holden Caulfield, the main character who tells the story, hates everything and almost everyone, never really accomplishes anything, and spends most of his time depressed. If Salinger has done anything in this novel, he has accurately depicted humanity in its state of lostness.

In reading a brief bio of his life, I discovered that Salinger’s life is much like his character Holden. Salinger endured much scrutiny, unwanted attention, and became something of a recluse. Could it be that Holden’s view of life was that of Salinger’s?

I can only hope that other readers of Catcher would catch a glimpse of how desperate humanity is, set out to find the answer, and embrace Him! I can only hope that was also true of Catcher’s author before his death.