The Catcher in the Rye

I never knew what this book was, but I am so glad I read it. It's a sixteen-year-old boy's existential crisis over the course of a weekend from the time he gets kicked out of another school, roams around New York, and then finally is drawn back home by the love of a sibling.

There were many things in this story that spoke to teenage me. Holden is like a male version of myself in more ways than one. Right down to trusting and getting the most sage advice from one of the worst people you ever met on the planet. Universal contradictions like that can really destroy a soul. Holden was in danger of having his crushed, but I'm an optimist when it comes to the ending. My sweet Holden, the only boy that truly GETS IT, will be just fine. What a great man you will become, you prince. ;-P

Like Holden, I can't really explain what I love so much about the story. It was more than the similarities. The prose of Salinger was quite beautiful to read. Holden's voice came through in a way that I haven't read in quite a while. This gray-haired child sat next to me and TOLD me this story, I didn't read it, there's just no way.