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I don't know how old you are, but when each turned 16-17, I had my sons read The Catcher in the Rye and neither of them were crazy about it. I've talked to other young people who didn't understand the big deal about Catcher.
They liked Red Sky At Morning, another coming of age story, a bit better.The protagonist in that novel is more a "regular guy."
Perhaps Catcher feels a bit dated? I dunno. Certainly when it was first published, it did things and went places that had not *quite* been done before.
Speaking of coming-of-age novels, my daughter swears I said "Here, it's your generation's Catcher in the Rye" when I lent her my copy of Douglas Coupland's Microserfs.
I think she took me seriously, because she stole my copy when she left for college...to major in Computer Science.
<I would recommend Paul Theroux or Tim Parks for armchair travels. Also, the Travelers Tales Collections are excellent. Google Travelers Tales and you can take your pick of destination and enjoy all styles of writing: humorous, poignant, etc.>
Thanks.
Good to know what to 'Tell Google'. I love Google.
Classics are different to everyone, and here's mine:
1. Clan of The Cave Bear - Jean Auel
2. White Oleander - Janet Fitch
3. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
4. Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry
5. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
6. Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
7. The Diary of A Young Girl - Anne Frank
8. Light in My Darkness - Helen Keller
9. The Bible
10. Excalibur - Bernard Cornwell
Sunshinebaby
I don't know how old you are, but when each turned 16-17, I had my sons read The Catcher in the Rye and neither of them were crazy about it. I've talked to other young people who didn't understand the big deal about Catcher.
They liked Red Sky At Morning, another coming of age story, a bit better.The protagonist in that novel is more a "regular guy."
Perhaps Catcher feels a bit dated? I dunno. Certainly when it was first published, it did things and went places that had not *quite* been done before.
Hey,
I'm 18. But, it wasn't because the book is dated that I didn't like it. I have read many books that were written in or about a much earlier generation that I did like and could relate to. As I said before, I think that the nature of the book appeals to those with a different personality than me. I guess I'm more of a "go by the book" kind of person, and the idea of doing most of the things which the main character did (or thought of doing) is actually quite distastul to me .
But, I suppose I can appreciate the authors ability to write a story that was before its time. Certainly the majority of people today are not shocked or appalled by its contents. Perhaps I will read it again sometime to get a more well-rounded view. I think I had certain expectations the first time I read it, and didn't really know what it was going to be about.
Speaking of coming-of-age novels, my daughter swears I said "Here, it's your generation's Catcher in the Rye" when I lent her my copy of Douglas Coupland's Microserfs.
I think she took me seriously, because she stole my copy when she left for college...to major in Computer Science.
I got Microserfs for my kid but I don't think he got into it all that much.
We do agree on some stuff though.
Some books my sons and I all like:
Roddy Doyle's Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (young boy in Ireland)
Mary Stewart's Arthurian series: The Merlin Trilogy, and afterwards, The Last Enchantment
Sunshinebaby, I understand what you mean about relating (or having trouble relating) to the main character. I loved some of the things he said about his roommates and friends and such though. Steve, the Secret Slob.
Classics are different to everyone, and here's mine:
From time to time I read Robert Louis Stevenson--'The Lighthouse Stevensons'--about his family is a book I plan to read.
~~~~~
Robert Louis Stevenson Stories
Treasure Island 1883
Across the Plains 1892
A Child's Garden of Verses 1885
Kidnapped 1886
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 1886
In the South Seas
Songs of Travel and Other Verses
Essays in The Art of Writing
If you can follow them, the Icelandic Sagas can be fun. However, be prepared for 903853 generations of people with extremely similar names. If you can keep it all straight, they are great.
Thanks for all these great book suggestions, everyone. I've already filled a page with the titles I'm going to check out.
Cil, thanks for understanding. It's been a few years since I've read it, though, so I will have to take another look at it soon. Maybe my perspective will have changed slightly. I'll let you know
"Don Quijote" is justifiably one of the great accomplishments of Western Civilization and also, unlike many classics, great fun to read if you have a good translation. (Someday I'll read it in the original, when I have far too much time on my hands). Still just as poignant 400 years later. (If Cervantes was alive today, Quijote would be a blogger)
Re: "Catcher In The Rye", great book but I think it might not have as much appeal to people who aren't familiar with New York City.
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cil--travel---thanks
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