Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Над пропастью во ржи

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger is a novel that has sparked intense debates and discussions since its publication in 1951. Set in the 1950s, it follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a disenchanted teenager expelled from his prep school as he navigates through the streets of New York City over a few days. Through Holden's first-person narrative, readers are taken on a journey through his inner thoughts, observations, and encounters, providing a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the mind of a troubled adolescent.

Salinger's writing style, characterized by its colloquial language and stream-of-consciousness technique, immerses readers in Holden's world, allowing them to experience his disillusionment, loneliness, and search for authenticity alongside him. The novel's title, inspired by a misinterpretation of a Robert Burns poem, reflects Holden's desire to protect the innocence of childhood—a theme that permeates the story as he grapples with the complexities of growing up in a world he perceives as phony and corrupt.

Holden Caulfield has been both celebrated and criticized as a protagonist. Some readers sympathize with his struggles and appreciate his honesty, while others find him to be whiny, self-absorbed, and unreliable. His cynicism and tendency to criticize the people and society around him can be off-putting to some readers, leading to divided opinions about his likability and relatability. I certainly am more on the critics‘ side. As far as I am concerned, Holden Caulfield is kind of hypocritical and pretentious. While complaining about everything being phony, he himself acts like a brat throwing money out of the window left and right.

Even though Holden Caulfield as a character aggregated me quite a lot, I have to admit that J.D. Salinger achieved to portray him as a caring brother. Despite his pretentious behaviour and tendency to be quite annoying at times, he shows to care a lot about the people he loves, especially his siblings. I even felt sorry for him during some parts of the book, because the lasting grief and sadness he faces due to his little brother‘s death comes through strongly between the lines.

I caught myself thinking that the character should try therapy once in a while to learn how to cope with all his struggles, so I was glad to realize he seems to be in a mental health clinic during the entirety of the novel while telling the reader about his crazy days.

The novel's exploration of themes such as alienation, identity, and the loss of innocence resonates with many readers, especially adolescents grappling with similar issues. Holden's quest for authenticity and his resistance to societal norms and expectations strike a chord with those who have felt out of place or disillusioned with the world around them.

However, "The Catcher in the Rye" is not without its flaws. Critics have pointed out its repetitive narrative, lack of plot development, and the meandering nature of Holden's thoughts, which can make it a challenging read for some. Additionally, its use of dated language and cultural references may distance modern readers and limit its relevance to contemporary audiences. I did not mind the language used in the novel too much. It definitely fit the time the book was published in and set the tone for the main character quite well.

Despite its shortcomings, "The Catcher in the Rye" appears to remain a significant work in literature, influencing countless writers and resonating with generations of readers as research allows me to say. Its exploration of the universal themes of adolescence, identity, and the search for meaning continues to make it a relevant and thought-provoking read for those willing to delve into the mind of Holden Caulfield and confront the complexities of youth and growing up. That‘s what it is in the end: A story about an adolescent who is being confused and lost in life and who is trying to figure out their own role in this world while doing reckless teenage stuff.

Content Warnings