‘Catcher in the Rye’ author J.D. Salinger dies

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

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NEW YORK - J.D. Salinger, the legendary author, youth hero and fugitive from fame whose "The Catcher in the Rye" shocked and inspired a world he increasingly shunned, has died. He was 91.

Salinger died of natural causes at his home on Wednesday, the author's son said in a statement from Salinger's literary representative. He had lived for decades in self-imposed isolation in the small, remote house in Cornish, N.H.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35127071/ns/today-today_books/?GT1=43001

Personally, I really never liked The Catcher in the Rye. The book came across as a story about a disgruntled teenager who just vents his anger at the rest of the world. Pretty stupid story to me, but that's just how I interrupted it. I've heard many people say it's one of their favorite books, but it's all based on opinion. Still, despite that book, he was quite a tremendous author. Very good author. Not my cup of tea, though.

Adbot · **Posted:** January 28th, 2010, 11:57 am

Earth · **Posted:** January 28th, 2010, 6:27 pm

Duke Juker wrote:

The book came across as a story about a disgruntled teenager who just vents his anger at the rest of the world. Pretty stupid story to me, but that's just how I interrupted it.

What?

I've never read that book, I probably should

Tim · **Posted:** January 28th, 2010, 7:37 pm

I had the chance to read that book in my English class, but the book was taken before me. My teacher said it was a very good book and should be read by most. But I've never heard of him before so I can't really say he were a good author, only going on what my teacher told me.

Warren · **Posted:** January 29th, 2010, 8:55 am

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The book came across as a story about a disgruntled teenager who just vents his anger at the rest of the world.

I liked it, I thought the the message was deeper. XD

My grade 11 english teacher had thought Salinger was already dead until like three quarters into the year with us. Kind of odd considering the extensive background info he has on.. everything.

Rynne528 · **Posted:** January 29th, 2010, 8:05 pm

I've read it once. It was interesting though. May Salinger rest in peace.

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

Earth271072 wrote:

Duke Juker wrote:

The book came across as a story about a disgruntled teenager who just vents his anger at the rest of the world. Pretty stupid story to me, but that's just how I interrupted it.

What?

I've never read that book, I probably should

What I mean is this: it's sometimes hard to understand the deeper meaning of a story if you don't have someone there to help you with it, like and English teacher. I never really grasped the deeper meaning of the book and read it mostly for face value. From what meaning I could extract by myself, here's what I found...

I thought that Holden (main character) had a bad image of the world and believed himself to be much better than it, but is going through a tough and immature stage in his teenage life.

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From Wikipedia: ...Rohrer assessed the reasons behind both the popularity and criticism of the book, saying that it "captures existential teenage angst" and has a "complex central character" and "accessible conversational style" - while at the same time some readers may dislike the "use of 1940s New York vernacular", "self-obsessed central character" and "too much whining".

I think I tend to fall into this category. I believed that Holden complains too much in the book and is very obsessed with himself. I really didn't like that part about him. Had he come across more mature and intelligent, I probably would have enjoyed the book better. But as it is, the book doesn't interest me a great deal.

Adbot · **Posted:** January 30th, 2010, 6:26 pm

Xbladez · **Posted:** January 30th, 2010, 10:21 pm

Duke Juker wrote:

Earth271072 wrote:

Duke Juker wrote:

The book came across as a story about a disgruntled teenager who just vents his anger at the rest of the world. Pretty stupid story to me, but that's just how I interrupted it.

What?

I've never read that book, I probably should

What I mean is this: it's sometimes hard to understand the deeper meaning of a story if you don't have someone there to help you with it, like and English teacher. I never really grasped the deeper meaning of the book and read it mostly for face value. From what meaning I could extract by myself, here's what I found...

I thought that Holden (main character) had a bad image of the world and believed himself to be much better than it, but is going through a tough and immature stage in his teenage life.

Quote:

From Wikipedia: ...Rohrer assessed the reasons behind both the popularity and criticism of the book, saying that it "captures existential teenage angst" and has a "complex central character" and "accessible conversational style" - while at the same time some readers may dislike the "use of 1940s New York vernacular", "self-obsessed central character" and "too much whining".

I think I tend to fall into this category. I believed that Holden complains too much in the book and is very obsessed with himself. I really didn't like that part about him. Had he come across more mature and intelligent, I probably would have enjoyed the book better. But as it is, the book doesn't interest me a great deal.

that was quite the point of it tho to show that immaturity of teenagers so well in the main character thru his almost stuck up and whiny nature, that most people associate with a rebelious teenager and connect to in their own teenage years of living.

it was a good book that quite a few school systems still try to encourage or even require it be read tho there are also some parts of it that spark controversy in that regards as well. :wink:

in general salinger shall be missed and remember for ages thru his good writings.

Warren · **Posted:** January 31st, 2010, 4:49 pm

It is necessary for Holden to not be mature for the development of some big themes in the novel. XD

I just remembered that in grade 9 our ISU we had to read a book and do a presentation on it. My friend did Catcher in the Rye, and the way he described it made it seem like a completely different book when I read it in grade 11. He described Holden as the coolest guy ever too.
However, it is of my opinion that this book should be banned from schools as the f word is in it. I cannot believe our education boards even put it in the curriculum forcing our children to read such profane language. I will not allow my sixteen year old read this book, even if it means they must receive a failing grade on all work related to the novel.

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

I share the same sentiments with you, Warren. My only thing is that kids will grow up and have to deal with bad words eventually. It's still good to do what you say, but it's nearly inevitable that they will find out about words sometime soon after in their life.

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that was quite the point of it tho to show that immaturity of teenagers so well in the main character thru his almost stuck up and whiny nature, that most people associate with a rebelious teenager and connect to in their own teenage years of living.

it was a good book that quite a few school systems still try to encourage or even require it be read tho there are also some parts of it that spark controversy in that regards as well. :wink:

in general salinger shall be missed and remember for ages thru his good writings.

That's what I'm quite frustrated with. How does that make a good read? I don't remember ever being near to what Holden was like, and most the people I knew growing up along with me weren't like him either. I think his immaturity is blown so far out of proportion to absurd definition. I wouldn't even call Holden a normal teenager going through a rebellious time in his teenage life. If he was a person in the real world, he probably would need either anger management classes or psychotherapy. This kid is way beyond a manageable and normal rebellious attitude imo. But if you don't agree, than so be it. As he comes across in the story, I can't identify with this kid at all, making the entire book hard to associate with real life, even if it is only hyperbole.

Pennstate315 · Runite Member 5-25-10

I was like woah! isn't he dead already. But supposedly the past few years he intentionally stayed away from media. In his house in New Hampshire