History+of+the+Novel

Why was the book banned? The book was originally banned because of its obscene language, sexuality, and because it wasn't appropriate for the youth.

Information on book reviews when it was published in 1951, Ever since its publication in 1951, J.D. Salinger's //The Catcher in the Rye// has served as a firestorm for controversy and debate. Critics have argued the moral issues raised by the book and the context in which it is presented. Some have argued that Salinger's tale of the human condition is fascinating and enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The psychological battles of the novel's main character, Holden Caulfield, serve as the basis for critical argument. Caulfield's self-destruction over a period of days forces one to contemplate society's attitude toward the human condition. Salinger's portrayal of Holden, which includes incidents of depression, nervous breakdown, impulsive spending, sexual exploration, vulgarity, and other erratic behavior, have all attributed to the controversial nature of the novel. Yet the novel is not without its sharp advocates, who argue that it is a critical look at the problems facing American youth during the 1950's. When developing a comprehensive opinion of the novel, it is important to consider the praises and criticisms of //The Catcher in the Rye//. (http://www.levity.com/corduroy/salinger1.htm)

Review of Someone who was affected by the book: Reviewer James Stern of the New York //Times// critiqued Salinger's novel by incorporating Holden's style of speech into his review. Stern tried to imitate Holden by using short, incomplete sentences with undeveloped ideas: "That's the way it sounds to me, He said (a friend of the author), and away she went with this crazy book, //The Catcher in the Rye//. What did I tell ya, she said the next day. This Salinger, he's a short story guy. And he knows how to write about kids. This book, though, it's too long. Gets kind of monotonous. And he should have cut out a lot about these jerks and all at that crumby school. They depress me. They really do. Salinger, he's best with real children. I mean the ones like Phoebe, his kid sister. She's has personality. Holden and little Phoebe, He said, they kill me. This last part about her and this Mr. Antolini, the only guy Holden ever thought he could trust, who ever took any interest in him, and who turned out queer -- that's terrific. I swear it is" (5). (http://www.levity.com/corduroy/salinger1.htm)


 * Book Reviews.**

[| A review from Washington Post] [|A review from Simon McLeish]