Catcher in the Rye - it's all bollocks?

[MrsWembley]

Just a quick one, as have to go wash and dress DD, but they've been talking about this on the Today programme like it's the second coming and I'm getting a bit agitated. Am I really the only one who died of boredom whilst reading this book? The only thing I got out of it was a deep desire to slap both the protagonist and the author.

I didn't read it until early 30s. I was very about it.

Tbh I even double checked that I was reading the right book, e.g. that the library/bookshop hadn't accidentally put another book into the cover.

I didn't hate it as such, just felt very underwhelmed and "is that it?" kind of response.

I'm with Echt. I read it at uni I didn't loathe it though. I thought it was brilliantly written. Subversive in the sense it DOES create such an annoying protagonist. I mean: it's deliberate. So all those who found holden whiney and annoying have utterly bought into the point of it all. I.e. Life seems so be all and end all particularly as a teen.

Wuthering Heights BUGS THE HELL out of me. I am a HUGE fan of the Bronte's and like the book in part, I just HATE Nelly Dean. I want Heathcliff to carry out his threats on HER. I'm not sure Emily Bronte WANTS we to hate her, therefore it is not as gifted as Catcher in the Rye. Villette tho (CB), is bloody genius.

I read it at around 16. My then- BF thought it was AMAZING- I was underwhelmed. I think it fits angsty boys better.
Same with Lord of the Flies; I liked it, the boys went nuts over it.

I loved it - Oh well.

i was in lurve with holden caulfield, real full on crush, those were the days.....

"Seminal" is a great description since the book is, in many parts, utter wank.

pmsl at Pikelet.

I thought it was crap. It has so little to say...about so little imho.

I was about 15 when I read it iirc. Maybe I should try again?

I did quite like 'For Esme' though and it's a bloody brilliant title.

Unfortunately I've never read CITR and, to be honest, neither the set-up nor the late author appeals to me at my advanced age. However, for the ultimate in horrible teenagers can I highly recommend Lionel Schriver's 'We Need To Talk About Kevin'? Enjoyably disturbing

I was 15, I didn't know any hype about it, thought he was a whiny bastard.

I only managed 30 pages of 'Kevin' before wanting to kill the writer, the narrator, all of the characters and myself.

I loved this book, but then I was 17 the first time I read it so was thrilled to find an author who agreed with me that grownups are phonies!

Hated Vernon God Little though.

I first read it when I was 13 or so and loved it. I've reread a fair few times since too, and can't really judge it with my adult head as it always takes me back ....

I do think Salinger's writing is brilliant, beautifully poignant.

Loathed Wuthering Heights, mind you. They're all whiney bastards and yet somehow we're meant to have sympathy with at least one of them. Couldn't wait for them all to be napalmed, but alas, it never happened.

Villette was better. Prefer Austen and Gaskell to any of the Brontes mind you.

it is a book for teenagers I loved it when I read it but then I am able to go back in time and remember how I would feel aobut a book around the age it is intended (I do this to enjoy books like when mum turned into a monster too and Horrid Henry)

For me however it has a very intent and special meaning as dh was that affected by The Catcher in the Rye that he announced at age 15 If I ever have a little girl I will name her Phoebe..

and We duly did when dd1 arrived