We're the opposite. I couldn't even get through half of Catch-22. I found the language too convoluted, and the plot to be absolutely boring, and I read a TON of books. Joseph Heller just does not do anything for me. Catcher just speaks to me, for some reason. I think that's the beauty of books though...each one will speak to us differently. Catcher in the Rye is all about alienation, rebellion, and finding oneself, something I think many kids can identify with. It's also written in a smooth prose: it's not a hard book to read, and everything just seems to flow together. Because of the ease of the language it's easy for readers to identify with certain of Holden's characteristics...something I think people can't do when they read the book as adults. It certainly is the perennial "teenage angst" novel, but I think when you start to examine it a bit closer it's much more than that. It's a story that everybody, at one point or another in their lives, can identify with. Some people just choose to read this novel too late, and the magic is already gone.
^^ I can't genuinelly respond to that without insulting Salingers' writing style 100%, getting into semantics and qoutes and details and shit, and the book itself as well, not cool to do when you've peacefully remembering an an excellent man--nor do I wish to disucss this via PM soi i'll just drop it. Glad you guys liked the book. Maybe when I finsish it i'll understand... But 145 pages in... It's just a semi- interesting rambling drag. I could go on and on about catch-22, but this isn't the thread for it soooo goodnight folks Sorry for the semi- irrelevent conversation. I'll repost if I change my mind edit- read DUNE. Final note.