A Dad Needs To Know...

[Rev. Doc]

Hey Gang

My daughter has been given a reading list for the summer and that list includes "The Catcher In The Rye." She wants to read it because it's the shortest book on the list. However, my wife is livid as she has heard all about it being banned and the Christian groups that are against it. I cannot find an online review from a Christian perspective. My daughter is 16 1/2 so I lean more to the fact that she will be required to read a lot of material we would object to eventually in college. We've got to start trusting her sometime. But, I have to live with my wife

Anyway, any input from you folks who have read it in regard to content would be greatly apprecaited or if you know of a Christian review please let me know. Thanks.

[Technomancer]

Personally, I think it's a great book for a teenager to read and that the objections to it are silly and overblown. Basically, one of the main issues that have been cited is that there is some language (somebody says "crap" and the 'f' word is found scrawled on a bathroom wall). Probably the main reason though is Holden's cynicism towards the adult world and his status as something of a loser. In reality, the book might have been shocking in some circles when it was first written, but it doesn't even remotely compare to much of what's on movies and television today.

[Maledicte]

I thought it was good. It's short but angsty, but really is no different from what a lot of teenagers are feeling today. in the end the main character does sort of grow up.

[yukinon]

A lot would depend on your daughter's maturity, which is something that obviously only you are going to know very well.

There is a LOT of language in it. At least, it seemed so to me when I read it at the age of 17. Every other word Holden says seems to be a curse. He also has a very arrogant and negative attitude towards almost everyone. (For the record, I personally hated this book. But that doesn't mean I can't be objective about content.)

If your daughter has other options, I'd reccomend those. She's definitely not going to lose anything by choosing not to read this book. What other books might be on the list?

[kazekami]

I'd reccomend reading it yourself if she does go ahead and read it and perhaps discuss it with her. I haven't read the book myself, never really wanted to. It didn't seem to be something i would enjoy. I was studying to be a English Teacher at one point and too a class on YA literture. Some books are banned for strange reasons like having death in them. Others should not be in schools. But Ultimately i think it should be up to the parents to say which books tehy deem inapropraiate for their children. But it might also help for you to just read the book and fecide if its appropriate or not for yourself if you can't find any reviews. Then you should talk to your daughter if you find it inappropriate and explian why its not a good book for her to read. Sorry if I'm not much help.

[mitsuki lover]

Well if you have questions about it you should read it first for yourself.

[Rev. Doc]

Well if you have questions about it you should read it first for yourself.

Unfortunately, there is not enough time for my reading it and her doing the same before it's due date. She's gone on to another title. Thanks everyone for your input.

[yukinon]

May I ask what title? (sorry, I'm a book nerd.)