Caught up in Catcher

Re-reading Catcher in the Rye for the first time in a couple of decades. What a splendid book. Like many youngsters, I used to identify with Holden. Now I recognize the strange blend of a character that is at once believable and yet wholly unrealistic… both because he is possessed of remarkable insight into human nature (and follies).

Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.”

“Yes, sir. I know it is. I know it.”

Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right—I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game.

Indeed…