J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History by Josef Benson (PDF)

Description

Since its publication in 1951, The Catcher in the Rye has been a cultural phenomenon, not only as an assigned text for English courses, but as a touchstone for generations of alienated youth. As the focus of recent major films and a successful off-Broadway play attest, J.D. Salinger and his novel continue to fascinate an American reading public. But who was J.D. Salinger, and how did he come to write a novel whose impact continues to resonate with millions of readers? In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History, Josef Benson examines the legacy of an elusive author and his work. After exploring how the novel reflected Salinger’s tortured psyche, the study discusses how the book made an impact on multiple generations of readers—from 1960s counter-culture youth and followers of the Black Power movement of the 1970s to the disenfranchised teens of the Reagan era and the celebrity-fixated masses of the present day. Benson also unravels the mystery behind Salinger’s reclusiveness, the effects the novel had on the reading public who adored it, and why three American assassins cited the novel as an inspiration.The author also considers why this work of fiction has been among the most widely taught—and most frequently banned—books of all time. By looking at the novel as both an artifact of the 1950s as well as a living testament to the turmoil of teenage angst, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye provides a riveting discussion of one of the most enigmatic novels and authors of all time.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I especially like a book that can entertain me and from which I can learn new things. This does both. I found it to a very interesting read and learned a lot about the “behind the scenes” events / experiences that shaped The Catcher in the Rye. The book also managed to sneak in some very interesting and educational information about general history.

⭐Just goes to show you to read the product description before purchasing an item. I wanted the actual book “The Catcher In The Rye” and what I got was someone else’s summery of what they thought of the book. To be fair The author Josef Benson seems thoughtful and truthful in his experience with the book It’s just not what I wanted or would have sought out in reading material.

⭐better second time around

⭐I really would like to enjoy the book, but it has so many hateful nuances that stand out. He gives an obvious bias against certain racial, sexual, and religious groups. Not only that, but he begins to bash these groups and tries to provide some kind of evidence through fatuous “insights” of Salinger’s masterpiece.Also, the book cover is extremely misleading. I bought this book thinking it was the original Catcher in the Rye, but was thoroughly disappointed when i found out what it really was.I usually don’t express hate toward people’s hard work, but this book was extremely infuriating.

⭐An excellent look at the way Catcher serves as a cipher for understanding middle class and upper middle class whites’ attitudes towards cultural change. The book has a taught, three-part where each chapter mixes insights of how aspects Salinger’s life affect the text, how those attitudes are reflected in potentially politically transformative surrogates who could have bridged conflicting groups and committed to real advocacy but instead chose instead to fall back into privileging systems they could have upset had they chosen. Benson’s choices include people like Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Vanilla Ice, and Bill Clinton, amongst others. In making this argument, Benson also provides a very readable account of the history of American privilege and systemic racism in the US post WWII. The third, most subtle thread, is a biography of the author himself, bookending his discussion and modeling the self awareness his subjects lack. A very necessary book for our political moment where, as Benson notes, we are all Holden Caufield online and Donald Trump is president of the United States.

⭐I loved it.Although I was initially hesitant about diving into the critical analysis of a book that I had not read in many years, I found it to be immediately accessible and never felt lost. It was easy to take Holden Caulfield out of the mental garage, dust him off and get reacquainted.Staying true to its title as ‘a cultural history,’ the book provides thorough social and political context to the Catcher in the Rye’s controversy, popularity and long-lasting influence in America. I learned a lot of new things about 20th century U.S. history, pop-culture icons in various social movements, and of course, J.D. Salinger.It’s meaty, entertaining and at times, painfully relevant.

⭐THIS IS NOT JD SALINGER’s BOOK!!! I’m pissed off that I purchased this piece of junk when I thought I was purchasing the original. Don’t get scammed. This was the only kindle option and I thought it was the original. Very VERY deceptive!

⭐Excellent insight into J.D. Salinger.

Keywords

Free Download J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History in PDF format
J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History PDF Free Download
Download J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History 2018 PDF Free
J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History 2018 PDF Free Download
Download J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History PDF
Free Download Ebook J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History