Title of the book: The Catcher in the Rye.
The author: J.D. Salinger.
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company.
Copyright date: July 1951.
Number of pages: 214.
Synopsis: The story is narrated by Holden Caulfield, a bright 16 year old boy from Agerstown, Pennsylvania who is undergoing treatment in a mental institution. Due to his lack of motivation, he gets expelled from Pencey prep; he worries how his parents would react, given that it was his fourth school expulsion. Firstly, he visits Mr. Spencer, an elderly teacher and mentor to seek advice, but after being told to adjust his academic circumstances, he gets annoyed and leaves.
After travelling back to the dormitory, Holden is further pestered by his unhygienic neighbour, Ackley. To make matters even worst, Holden’s roommate, Stradlater had gone out with Jane Gallagher whom he has a crush on. When the roommate returns, Holden assumes that Stradlater had engaged in sexual intercourse with Jane, and things turn sour; Holden is pinned down and given a bloody nose.
Spontaneously, he decides to venture the City of New York for forty hours in order to alleviate the stresses of his situation. During the train ride to New York, he meets his classmate’s mom and tries to seduce her, but fails. Despite his attempts of meeting new people, he eventually goes back to root one, loneliness and despair. After attempting to engage in sexual activity with a prostitute, he fails; leading to a fight with her pimp. Ultimately, Holden’s pursuit of understanding and acceptance from the other characters are demolished; thoroughly forcing him to lose his mind.
Spontaneously, he decides to venture the City of New York for forty hours in order to alleviate the stresses of his situation. During the train ride to New York, he meets his classmate’s mom and tries to seduce her, but fails. Despite his attempts of meeting new people, he eventually goes back to root one, loneliness and despair. After attempting to engage in sexual activity with a prostitute, he fails; leading to a fight with her pimp. Ultimately, Holden’s pursuit of understanding and acceptance from the other characters are demolished; thoroughly forcing him to lose his mind.
Holden learns the reality of people, and slowly his instincts change.
Book Trailer:
Link to a book review: http://www.suite101.com/content/review-of-catcher-in-the-rye-by-jd-salinger-a104367
