Literary Quote of the Month

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies," said Jojen. "The man who never reads lives only one." - George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Catcher in the Rye update... Spoiler Alert

I met Holden Caulfield yesterday... he was playing the tough guy, but I could tell it was all an act. He doesn't quite fit in... he feels an awkwardness that makes him call the people around him morons & phonies, but he still wanted to be part of them...

He joined the fencing team... as manager. Not really involved with the team but there... He went to the Big Game but sat on top of the hill looking down at everyone instead of joining in... (it was pretty cold up there, snow and all and I kept trying to convince him to leave.) He isolates himself and it's so sad... No real friendships... Maybe it's because he keeps getting thrown out of schools... Did I tell you? Oh I guess not, Holden just flunked out of Pencey's. This is the third exclusive boys boarding school...

When his history teacher Mr. Spencer leaves him a note saying he wants to see him, you can almost see that warm & fuzzy feeling inside of him that someone is going to miss him. Until he gets there and it's a lecture... ( at least we left that cold snowy hill!) So that's it. He goes back to his dorm, packs it up and is getting out of there... His one last act is to try and feel something about leaving... trying to remember something that will make him miss what he's leaving behind so he can say goodbye to it all... finally he remembers a time where he was playing football with a couple of guys and that's it... he feels something to miss... On his way out the door...

"When I was all set to go, when I had all my bags and all, I stood next to the stairs and took a last look down the corridor. I was sort of crying. I don't know why..." But then at the top of his voice he yells, "Sleep tight, ya morons!"

I left Holden on his way out the door... I'll meet up with him at chapter 8 to see where he's going...


5 comments:

Bookalicious Ramblings said...

I read this book years ago and back then I could really relate to it and it became one of my favourites! Don't know if things would be the same today since a lot has changed, but I know I loved the book back then and I hope you'll enjoy it too!
ps: Oh, your name's Suzanne? Mine is Suzana - pretty close, just a different language! :) Lovely blog, I've just become a follower and I already follow you on Twitter anyway, that's how I found out about this post!

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Suzana! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, it's funny because I can see where I might have a different perspective on Catcher if I were closer to Holden's age, but I am enjoying it quite a bit! Maybe it was banned at my high school and that's why I never read it! :D
What a nice blog you have! I just signed up to follow you too! And on Twitter! BTW, are you excited about Audrey Niffenegger's new book coming out?! I loved The Time Traveler's Wife so much! I made everyone I know read it! I only hope her new book is as good!

Take care,
Suzanne

Bookalicious Ramblings said...

I've actually already read the new Audrey Niffenegger - got a copy of the manuscript a few months ago and reviewed it on my blog (here). It was a great book indeed, completely different to TTW, but still amazing - hope you'll enjoy it too! Looking forward to your review as well as to the rest of your encounter with Holden! :D
Thanks so much for stopping by at my blog! :)

Suzanne Yester said...

I am so glad you liked Audrey's new book! I was afraid it may not live up to my HIGH expectations! I will immediately go to your review! Thanks for sending me the link! I can't believe I missed it!!

Anonymous said...

Okay, OKAY! Maybe I should give him another try... ;)

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