J.D. Salinger’s 1951 novel, originally written in serial form from 1945 to 1946, explores a teenager’s struggle to find his identity while spending a weekend alone in New York City. The main character Holden’s lack of self-assurance and his second-guessing nature are made clear as he wanders from place to place in New York and hesitates to strike up conversations with old acquaintances. Holden’s awkwardness, when he finally finds the courage to call the people he knew, is shared by the reader. His yearning to present a tougher exterior is contrasted to his actual internal vulnerability, and this internal conflict creates a clash of two versions of Holden, one that narrates with crass words and another that expresses his longing to see his sister and friends again. For instance, when Holden calls Faith Cavendish, a girl he knew through another acquaintance, late at night, he tries to make his voice deeper to appear more adult-like as he asks her if she’d like to have a cocktail with him. She asks if he couldn’t meet up tomorrow, but he refuses. His desire to connect with someone is clearly demonstrated in this encounter, which also shows his wish to be more mature through his attempts to deepen his voice. With hindsight, readers reflecting on the reasons for Holden’s indecision can find parts of their own conscience in Holden, and ultimately, his hesitation and vulnerability make him human. One note of warning: this book contains expletives that may be difficult to read for some.-Jiyu K., eighth-grade teen volunteer
Publisher's description:
A 16-year old American boy relates in his own words the experiences he goes through at school and after, and reveals with unusual candour the workings of his own mind. What does a boy in his teens think and feel about his teachers, parents, friends and acquaintances?