Did you hear what I said? Well, huh, thanks for nothing.
I said, I’ve been staring myself out about what makes this book so fab.
Everyone goes on about the teenage angst ta-ra-ra and the awkwardness boom-de-ay and how Salinger nailed it.
He sure did, but what’s the magic potion?
It’s tone of voice, dumb-ass. Are you listening or not?
The oft-quoted first sentence and the ongoing ‘hero’ Holden’s perfectly pitched mosquito machine hum of woe and whinge have you often wanting to biff the bugger. But, damn it, he’s funny too.
Here’s the opener. (Tip: no peeking first, just read the next para aloud in one breath to get in the tone zone.)
Continue reading The Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger (1946)
Book Bore. 