Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

Description

J. D. Salinger's 1951 novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is the definitive coming-of-age novel and Holden Caulfield remains one of the most famous characters in modern literature. This jargon-free guide to the text sets The Catcher in the Rye in its historical, intellectual and cultural contexts, offering analyses of its themes, style and structure, and presenting an up-to-date account of its critical reception.

Sarah Graham is Lecturer in American Literature at the University of Leicester, UK.

"Joining others in Continuum's 'Reader's Guide' series is an introduction to the key literary text The Catcher in the Rye, a book often assigned for both high school and college-level reading. This study examines different ways of thinking about novels offering both general and specific analysis and inviting students to learn more about history, language, and literary approach. High school and college-level collections will find it involving." -James A. Cox, California Bookwatch, March 2008 "I thought I knew this J.D. Salinger novel really well...but Sarah Graham has convinced me otherwise...The critical reception section is fascinating...All Catcher in the Rye teachers should read this book." - The Use of English "Sarah Graham's commentary on The Catcher in the Rye is concise and coherent...Her treatment of Salinger's novel provides enough depth to give most readers new ways to think about the novel. At the same time, the book is short enough that it can be used easily by those who haven't the need for something more elaborate. [Graham's book] is worth seeing and worth using... contribute to ongoing discussion and debate that will, together, keep Salinger's novel 'alive'." - European Journal of American Studies