Becoming a Book

If I were to take on the identity of a novel, I would want to be The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden’s story is probably my most favorite out of the hundreds I’ve read, touching my heart on a deeply personal level. I was taught it in my ninth grade English class while I was touring and applying to various New England preparatory schools at my own determination to get out of my house and challenge myself academically and socially. The novel surprised me in how accurately it grasps the troubles of being forced to grow up before being ready, giving me a sense of understanding relations I did not know I needed at the time. Salinger’s use of storytelling and symbolism beautifully depicts the abstract struggles of loneliness and reaching maturity, making the work incredibly valuable for people of all ages who feel as though they’re lost in a world in which they don’t belong.

Leave a Reply