The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Before buying more books, I told myself to finish reading all the books that have been sitting on the self. The Catcher in the Rye is one of them. It’s a must-read literature in either high school or college. I found it boring back then. I only read half and gave up, and obviously failed the literature test for it.
Quite some years after, it’s collected enough dust for me to realise how long it’s been there. Picking it up again felt like a newly purchased book to me. As we grow older, our visions grow with us, that led to how I read this book differently - closer to heart and closer to reality. I now call this book a timeless piece.
The story follows the life of a troubled teenager, Holden Caulfield, who struggles with the complexities and phoniness of the world. After being expelled from a prestigious school, he navigates the streets of New York City. Through his encounters and misadventures with various characters, he reflects on his life, which he constantly feels lost and lonely, that nobody really understands him.
‘I knew I wouldn’t meet anybody that knew me.’
Many can resonate to Holden's relatable characters, from teenage rebellion, alienation, identity, loss to emotional vulnerability - something we all have experienced from adolescence to adulthood, or even still experiencing, reminding us of the timeless struggles and universal truths of growing up and living.
To figure out who we are is a life-long process. Even if you think you’ve found yourself, after some experiences, you’ll outgrow your current self.
With Salinger's narrative style in a colloquial and conversational tone, it makes it easy to immerse yourself in Holden's thought process, as if he’s your friend having a conversation with you. Because of that, there are parts where I wanted to punch his face, like ‘bro, what the heck?’ The things he says make me feel like he’s so self-centered, inconsiderate, and insure where he has a lot of things he wishes to do but doesn’t have the guts to.
Driven by Holden’s personalities throughout this book, my favourite part of him is his empathy for others; it’s a part of him that he doesn’t like to show. He wants to act strong by not showing it, yet, he often thinks about what the other person has gone through.
That’s exactly why many readers can resonate, because you’ll always find a bit of yourself in Holden. You might be hiding some parts of yourself because you want to look strong. You might want to do something but you’re too scared to take actions, and more; that you have this desire to break free from societal norms and embrace your personal authenticity.
It’s the deeper understanding in this book that makes it an essential read for everyone. It touches our mind and heart. It’s okay to feel lost, but remember to find yourself.
Get yourself a copy: The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger 📚
ps. i bought a book when i was in singapore hehe
