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Re: The Catcher in the Rye
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2019 4:30 pm
by attofishpi
duszek wrote: ↑Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:54 pmThe Catcher in the Rye
The first book I truly loved, and probably the first I have truly forgotten! - gotta read it again, but I think for some reason it pushed me towards alcoholism..
Re: The Catcher in the Rye
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 6:27 pm
by duszek
It´s really a special book, yes.
Another one, that has a similar effect on me and that I read now is "Rabbit, Run" by John Updike.
I don´t know how it ends yet, I take my time.
I learn a lot about a certain generation of American society in Pensylvania.
What was it exactly that pushed you towards booze, Atto ?
Despair ?
Re: The Catcher in the Rye
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 6:56 pm
by duszek
Both Holden and Rabbit tried hard to preserve their souls in a phoney world they happened to be thrown into.
I don´t insist on the the term "soul", I use it temporarily.
Holden had no concept what to do, how to escape.
He only imagined a state in which he would be fine: cathing kids playing in a field of rye, before they fell off a cliff by mistake.
Rabbit formulated a strategy:
"If you have the guts to be yourself, other people´ll pay your price."
If you are a gorgeous looking young lad of 24 then they will, perhaps.
Does anyone here have the guts to be themselves ?
Re: The Catcher in the Rye
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:01 pm
by attofishpi
duszek wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2019 6:27 pm
It´s really a special book, yes.
Another one, that has a similar effect on me and that I read now is "Rabbit, Run" by John Updike.
I don´t know how it ends yet, I take my time.
I learn a lot about a certain generation of American society in Pensylvania.
Both Holden and Rabbit tried hard to preserve their souls in a phoney world they happened to be thrown into.
I don´t insist on the the term "soul", I use it temporarily.
Holden had no concept what to do, how to escape.
He only imagined a state in which he would be fine: cathing kids playing in a field of rye, before they fell off a cliff by mistake.
Rabbit formulated a strategy:
"If you have the guts to be yourself, other people´ll pay your price."
If you are a gorgeous looking young lad of 24 then they will, perhaps.
Does anyone here have the guts to be themselves ?
What was it exactly that pushed you towards booze, Atto ?
Despair ?
I remembered while reading it, Holden being in a bar and drinking. I was about 15 when I read it, and really felt like I was in his shoes, knowing there were things that needed to be done - to help perhaps, but could do little to nothing to help those that needed it. As I said, can't remember much of the book - but pretty much, the Earth is flat and most people are in situations where the grass is too long to see the edge.
But, no, ultimately I have drank reservoirs of beer and rivers of whiskey at one stage while dealing with the tests of our 'benevolent' 'God'.
I'll keep a note of Rabbit, Run. - add it to a list of books to read and other things that i'll probably not live long enough to accomplish!
Re: The Catcher in the Rye
Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 6:18 pm
by duszek
You could lie down on the grass and let a friend tell you the story of Rabbit.
I am joining a group for "shared reading" this coming Saturday. Hopefully we will have something to share.
