Book Review: The CATCHER in the RYE by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Review: The CATCHER in the RYE
My score: 5/5

I just finished reading "The Catcher in the Rye". This was my second attempt at reading this book. When I first started reading it, I could not get myself interested and engaged enough to go through it. At some point, I lost the book and kind of forgot about it.

However, this time around (probably after more than 5 years since my last effort), it took me less than 2 weeks to finish it, and I read it on my Kindle.

It has been a captivating experience. To be honest, I can't remember when was the last time I felt so invested in a character. Though two week's was needed, I actually read the whole book in about seven days, which means 25 pages per day; which is top speed--considering the amount of peaceful, book reading time I can get these days.

Holden Caulfeld, the protagonist of this novel is a likable person. He is kind of a tragic hero; he speaks for many of us who are riddled by things the society expects us to do, but apparently, most of them makes no sense to us and feels somewhat underwhelming and futile.

If I compare the book to music, it falls under "easy listening" genre. Throughout the book, we expect something extraordinary or game changing will happen "any moment now", but nothing happens like that.

In other words, the entire book changes the game, and it keeps doing that on a constant basis. This may sound a bit confusing, but I can't elaborate more without giving away spoilers. Just know that you won't feel bored at all, once you get in character.

The setting of the book is post-world war II era. Though the setting is of a distant past, it amazes me as to how many elements of Holden's life is still relevant and comparable with our lives.

I have read a good number of books on various topics and scopes lately, both fictional and non-fiction, but I must say, this is one book that I'd love to get back to again, and again.

I can't describe the feeling I have after finishing it. I really craved for more. I wanted Holden's story to go on for a bit more.

i guess that's one good way of knowing that I just finished reading a great book.

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