Since the death of JD Salinger has been in the news, and I've learned more about his lone novel The Catcher In The Rye, I've become intrigued enough I've put it near to the top of my to do list. It might seem odd that I have written this post, having never read the book, but I feel richer for even having read about it. I can only imagine what actually reading the thing will be like.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the book or its premise, its about a young boy who feels alienated from the world. To him, most authority figures and for that matter most others are phonies. He has a number of misadventures which I won't go into, but suffice it to say, he lives in a world of his own, but which might be every bit as valid as the one through which people stumble blindly.
This book has been the focus of a lot of trouble and has functioned like a prism for a lot of alienated people. Bear in mind, this is not a children's book, it is a book about a teenager, written from the perspective of an adult who seems to have reached down deep into his own inner child in order to find the right voice with which to write it. It's a book about a boy, but written by a man who has not concealed the facts of childhood with the self-serving illusory memories most adults cloak themselves with.
If there was ever a perfect book to read for Imbolc, I have a strong feeling this might be it.
Salinger never wanted this book made into a movie while he lived, as he had a bad experience with Hollywood in regards to one of his more popular short stories, or novellas. However, he did express that, after he was gone, he would not be adverse to the book being adapted to film for the benefit of his family.
Personally, I almost dread the prospect. If they do it right, it could be great. Knowing Hollywood though, they'll screw it up by interjecting a lot of pc moralizing about hookers with hearts of gold who are just looking for the opportunity to break away from the chains imposed on them by a self-righteous, unforgiving and abusive culture, or gay teachers who would be great people if only they had equal rights, among other things.
They should film the screenplay from the exact perspective of the young protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as written in the book, and they should resist the urge to place it in the present day. Keep it in the late forties, the time era in which it was written. Do it right or don't do it at all.
Here is a link dedicated to the life and works of JD Salinger. Worth a look.
5 comments:
He did all of this with no College Degree.
If you remember when Catcher was written, and don't go in expecting something shocking by today's standards, I think you'll really like the book. It's a great portrayal of an angry young man.
I saw it as a play. It didn't work.
You'll like Catcher.
Beak-
You mean Salinger didn't have a college degree? That's not really a surprise. Some people are just naturally gifted. In some cases, while an advanced education is beneficial in some regards, it might be detrimental in some respects.
Salinger was obviously well grounded in the kind of life experience necessary to produce this work, but he really dug deep into his psyche to do so. It seems to have taken a lot out of him.
Rufus-
A lot of the shock value in today's works seems to be pushing the envelope just for the shock effect, often to the detriment of story and character development. Not always, but much of the time. Catcher seems to me to be more of a cerebral work.
I may have misspoken somewhat, as Caulfield seems to be idolizing childhood, and resisting adulthood, which he sees as "phony". He's actually trying to protect himself from going over the edge of the cliff, so to speak. He seems to actually resent having to grow up, with all the responsibility that entails, and the compromises with true self that is involved.
Ren-
I can see where this would be a hard book to translate either to screen or stage, but especially stage.
You would be required to portray the various environments in which Caulfield surrounds himself, but somehow both portray the reality of the situations, and at the same time get across his perspective. That would be difficult with stage actors, even seasoned professionals.
A little further down the page, you might have noticed a short film I posted, titled 302. It's a play about a young girl's visit to her dentist, and how her fear colors her perception of that environment.
A play or film based on Catcher should aim not for such an extreme, but for more of a balance between perception and reality, without being obvious. I don't know that its really possible.
Actually this was one of my high school books. We all had to read it. I don't remember much about it.
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