Thursday, July 19, 2007
11. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Well I've had about five books on the go since May so there's been a bit of a gap in posts, but I finally finished one! I'd been meaning to read this for years, so when I saw it on my friend Berni's bookshelf the other day I grabbed the chance to borrow it. She said she's lent another two copies at least to other friends so it must be the thing to do. Anyway I really liked it. Good old Holden Caulfield.. he's a smart guy stuck in a world full of phoneys. You can't help feeling for him. He just got kicked out of school for not 'applying himself' and this is the story of a few days he spends wandering around New York after he walks out of school early. Straightaway I liked the way its written just like a teenager of that time probably spoke - lots of repetition of phrases like 'that kills me' and 'I really get a bang out of that' and finishing sentences with 'and all'. And I love his straight-talking character analyses - 'My aunt's pretty charitable - she does a lot of Red Cross work and all - but she's very well-dressed and all, and when she does anything charitable she's always very well-dressed and has lipstick on and all that crap. I couldn't picture her doing anything for charity if she had to wear black clothes and no lipstick while she was doing it.'
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3 comments:
I really enjoy your Book Blog! So glad that I was "Blog Hopping" and came to your site!
I agree with you that "The Catcher in the Rye" is an excellent book. It was manditory reading when I attended high school.(hmm wonder if you can figure out how long ago that was?!) Latter it was removed from the high school reading list as it was considered to "racey" for school reading material. I have had a copy of this book in my home library for years now and have read it more than once through the time.
Have you ever read any books by Gail Anderson - Dargatz ? She has three --
"The Cure for Death by Lightning" and "Recipe for Bees" & "A Rhinestone Button". She is a Canadian Author and her book The Cure for Death by Lighting as shortlisted for The Giller Prize for First Novel Award. Many of us think she should have won it. You might enjoy the read.
I am definately going to check out some of the titles you have written about in yor blog also.
I always have a book on the go, and read each night before I can go to sleep.
I will check back again to see what other books you have read and what you feel about them.
Hello Pamela :)
I'm so glad you like my book blog, it's good to know someone's reading it apart from me!
I haven't read anything by Gail Anderson-Dargatz, but I will definitely check out her books. Do you know which book won the Giller Prize, and did you read it?
There are so many other books I love that I haven't reviewed on this site - have you ever read anything by Jennifer Johnston? There's something special about her writing that's hard to pinpoint - I think its something to do with what she doesn't say.
And I really loved Sue Miller's "While You Were Gone". And do you like Margaret Atwood? She's one of my favourite Canadian writers.
If you want to check out some Australian authors, try Tim Winton (The Turning is very very good) and Bill Bryson is always good for a laugh.
Looking forward to talking books with you someday!
Ahhh Books! as important as air for a good life I say!
I worked in a book store/ Cappacino bar, for 3 years and it was one of the best jobs I ever had, (although I never let the owner know, I would have worked there for nothing, after all, I was able to order books, and read them every day!!)
Gail Anderson Dargatzs' book "A Cure for Death by Lighting did not receive the Giller Prize but was one of the last 3 runners up for the prize. (I think that she should have received the prize.) I have read all three of her books and I feel they are all an excellent choice.
I have read nearly all of Margaret Atwoods books, and agree that she is an excelent Canadian Author.
Have you read any books by Margaret Lawrence? I have read nearly all of hers, and have read "The Stone Angel" published in 1964 -- three times now, so I suppose you could say I like it! (: (I read it out loud to my hubby once also!)
I have not read any Austrialian authors to date, however I am searching them out at our local library, and hope to explore some of the books you have read soon!
Have your read any books by "Ursula Hwegi"? "Stones from the River"- is one of her novels that I enjoyed. The story is told by a young girl growing up who experiences many difficulties as she struggles to understand the many faces of human kind.
You see Trudi Montag is a "Zwerg" a Dwarf. She shows more tollerance and understanding for all the people she meets than most people can show to her. A story about people, emotional power, the ways of humanity and truth. It is full of energy and life, pulls on your strings of compasion, and demands your respect for those who have such courage, and wisdom to take them further than others would every venture ... a very well written novel.
Sooo, on that finial note; off to the library I must go!
I look forward to chatting with you over a good cup of tea and talking books, also! In the mean time, we will both "Keep on Reading!"
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