i know i should try not to let other people’s opinions get to me (it’s kind of my whole problem; thanks family!) but it makes me genuinely upset when people talk shit about Salinger, and Catcher in the Rye. that was a good-ass book when I read it at 19, and I’m enjoying it again now
but for some reason I’ve seen 4 or 5 people say something about hating this book recently, and it’s fine if you didn’t like it! but, actually it’s not. this adhd-ass kid flunking out from depression is too real
disclaimer: I know some shit goes down in the end and I’m fuzzy on what exactly it is. But I read 60 pages yesterday and feel both empathy for Holden’s unaccommodated neurodivergence and grief, and that obviously he’s not Correct about everything.
Reading Salinger’s other books right after Catcher really reframed the whole thing for me. Holden is very clearly A Character, one I think Salinger understands. But he wrote ably about very different Characters, with more tenderness and melancholy
nina splendorr 🌻🏳️⚧️