THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Original review written November 9, 2020)

What can be said that hasn’t been said? Even saying that is probably overdone at this point.

I was transported to two earlier periods in my life: living in college and living in New York. Though they are barely in the rearview now. I found this at an interesting in-between phase. I’m older but still pretty dang young, and I can look back at college with clarity but with a strong nostalgia and the first beginnings of understanding from gradually acquired wisdom. An awkward life-transitioning authority to evaluate Holden and his adventure.

I enjoyed this, I really did. Holden is freakin’ frustrating yet entertaining at moments, in that way that teens have to be. All that heavy angst and false confidence and breakdown. Glimmers of gold within. And in the end, a sweet naïveté.

I don’t know why I didn’t read this earlier in life, or what I would’ve thought. I wouldn’t have been able to relate to the meandering through NYC. Or living independently, even if for just a night. Now I do.

It’s fun in the same way the dangerous thrill of some youthfully rebellious act is laughable and melodramatic in retrospect. There’s clearly many deeper meanings already investigated to death, a task I don’t feel qualified to add to.

Wouldn’t wanna be a phony.