Thread: J.D. Salinger

So what's the big deal with this writer? I read the Catcher in the Rye and some short stories....I found it pretty simple and coloquial at times, it's like the characters have lost their interest in practically anything.

Did I miss something?

hey vero,
I think there is a combination of reasons why he is so loved. First, he published the catcher in the rye in 1951 and it was extremely racy for its time. It was in many schools in the US because its use of words like "goddam" (highly offensive at the time), and a lot of F words which upset everyone. Plus the prostitute. All of this made parents crazy and teenagers happy which helped him a lot with his rise to fame.
Now it is read in high schools in the US because it is an easy read but you are able to pick up on subtle complexity and ironic humor. Its good to teach you how to keep an eye for these things. You can read it as may times as you want and pick up on new things.

Well thanks Emily, I see his writting was a bit bold for his time, I guess.

I also read a short story on a guy who came back from the war and commit suicide that was kind of shocking because he started living the usual happy american life and couln't take it anymore. I guess that would have been a bit too much for the people in the '50s.

what actually amazed me about salinger's catcher in the rye was the conversational style, which at times makes you feel holden is sitting right by you telling the story, not to mention how real it sounds and how much one can relate to holden's stories.