For this book club selection, we read The Catcher in the Rye. I had zero expectations and knew nothing of the plot when we began reading, which is always a fun experience. There is nothing like reading a classic for the very first time.
The content of the plot is mature, and so I'd recommend it for upper high schoolers.
It is a lot to unpack and will weigh on your mind far after you've finished it. Salinger’s main character, Holden Caulfield, at first comes across as mysterious and even charming. We quickly learn, however, that he is an unreliable narrator, and we begin questioning everything he says. The only things we can be certain of are that he is a liar and a hypocrite. Shaped by a tragic loss in his youth, he carries a cynical outlook that makes it difficult for him to adjust to the world around him.
The people he encounters move the story forward in ways that don’t always offer closure, but still feel fitting. From brief conversations with his dorm mates to simple exchanges with taxi drivers, each interaction holds your attention. Though Holden’s perspective is skewed, I still found it enlightening. I can’t decide whether I like him as a person. I’ve known people like Holden in real life, which made some moments feel a bit raw and uncomfortable. Still, I really enjoyed the story overall. I appreciate that Salinger wove parts of himself into Holden…making that the only thing the reader can trust. Or maybe not. 😉
I've collected activities and discussion questions to do throughout the novel. They are available here for FREE: Link. Please let me know if you have any issues accessing it.
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