Asha’s Reviews > The Catcher in the Rye > Status Update

I am fascinated by Holden’s distaste for effort. How dare the performer prepare? Practice makes you a phony. Actors suck because they’re acting. Good skaters have to practice. Being bad at things is embarrassing and everyone rubber necks at you. But being good is also bad. You’re such a mess Caulfield. This is why 16 year old me would hate you.

I am getting the pattern of the narrative now. Holden’s got some baggage about Catholics and wealth and the movies that’s going to come back later in the story. I am very sure there’s going to be some reveal that makes you go, oh shiiiiitt.

Holden, baby, your screed on suitcases makes me want to beat you with a hammer. The narrative ping pongs between making you really feel for this poor fucked up kid and then the next minute you’re like Oh Right. Hammer time. I’m sure he’ll break my heart again in 5 pages. He’s also the most friendly and gregarious misanthrope you’ve ever seen. Friends with everybody while he monologues about their faults.

Holden is walking 40 blocks or something and his mind running through this ridiculous loop is so reminiscent of every stress meltdown walk I've ever taken but he is EVEN more avoidant than I am so he is rambling on about his opinions on fist fights (one of which he got into a couple hours ago) and there are no paragraph breaks and like JEEZ kid, I have been there, but JEEZ.

He’s such a shiiiiiiiiit. I’m finding it cute and funny but my dude, Holden, you’re such a shiiiiiiit. “It went over her head” He’s got the worst kind of 16 year old arrogance. Holden, you were born in the wrong era, you would LOVE being superior on Reddit like it matters. High school drop out but he’s so sure he’s the smartest guy in the room.

Omg I wrote that “Holden can’t even label his emotions” before I got to the bit with his brother and the garage windows. Like oh.

Also I see why adults want to give this book to teens but do teens ever enjoy it? I feel like you need to distance of adult hood to appreciate this kind of view of teenager hood.

Holden is lying to himself about everything and talking himself in circles around it all and it is so good. My dude perhaps we need a class on identifying emotions? You probably would not go and would call the whole process phony but oof. I’m impressed from a craft perspective with how the author can show the intricacies of an emotion from the deep first person pov of a guy who is sure that he’s fine. FINE!!

Didn’t expect to like this. It has a reputation. But it’s got a great voice. I like how Holden is both very aware and about as aware as a brick wrapped in cotton wool. That feels very right for a detached teenage boy. I’ve met these kids. I probably would have hated this if I read it at 16. But as an adult? Really enjoying it.