I am very impressed with this book. I've made it my goal to read classics and some of them I haven't found the appeal. Until now.

I wish I had read this book during the peak of my adolescence as 16 year old me would have gained so much more than I did reading this as someone on my way out of adolescence. Salinger understands in every sense of the word what it's like to be a teenager. What it feels like with the angst and alienation and doing things and not understanding why. Holden Caulfield epitomises all the traits of a typical troubled teen, much like I was. Death obsessed and fearing, impulsive, hot headed and most importantly cut off from others by his own doing. Yes, others authors have attempted to create the teenage tension but it mostly comes across as self satisfying, pathetic and very annoying yet Salinger makes Holden charming through the fact he hates most things but when he cares about something, it's charming and lovely to see. Such as his relationship with his siblings.

I don't think Holden particularly changes between the beginning and end in sense of anagnorisis but I think that's the point. He caught in the adolescent battle between childhood adulthood, when is appropriate to stay young and fun? When is i crucial to grow up? He has a peter pan complex. Nobody wants to grow up but this novel is about how Holden is struggling to find a balance and so rather teeters on the edge of childish and immature to compensate. Its the main reason he keeps calling adults phoneys, nobody wants to grow up and the fact they did, makes them a phoney to him.

There isn't much in terms of plot it's more of his stream of consciousness but I cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book and the profound effect it has had on me. I'll definitely be recommending this to my 15 year old sister. Very rewarding read, a type of read I've missed.