The Catcher in the Rye

He paints childhood and adolescence beautifully, as well as charming interactions between children and sensitive young men.

on HN, 2013

Catcher in the Rye was the right book for me at the right age. It really set a North Star for me as to what I wanted to be when I looked at myself in the mirror.

on HN, 2024

I found it brilliant stylistically; only a voice, but what a voice. The emotional impact was different for me than it would have been when I was that age, but I remember very well how all that feels, so I was cheering on behalf of my younger self.

on HN, 2013

For me, I came across it in the early 90s, as it was the first text for my CS class in college. I devoured it and it still holds a special place in my heart.

on HN, 2023

I first read _Catcher_ when I was the disgruntled youth that you expect to read it, and found it brilliant.

on HN, 2013

It's something that speaks to you as a teenager more than it does as an adult, because at least for me it put into words what I hated about the world, ex. phonies, and how I wanted to hold myself to that.

on HN, 2024

(caveat, it was most effective when I read it at 16)

on HN, 2013