Episode 8

full
Published on:

20th Jan 2022

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

In this episode, Steven and Alex explore one of the most iconic American novels of the 20th Century, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Some of the themes include: Is this novel fundamentally a portrayal of teenage angst, or is Holden a more complicated character than an alienated youth?; Why is Holden so preoccupied with accusing most people as being 'phonies', especially when he recognises his own duplicities?; What is the significance of the role of Catcher in the Rye for Holden and for the novel itself?; While Holden ends up in an institution, is it possible that it is the society that he belongs to that is more 'unwell'?; Is this novel a coming-of-age tale or if not, what does that mean about the story?

Further Resources:

- A copy of the novel can be bought at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger-ebook/dp/B07W5FQLDP/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1642680367&refinements=p_28%3Athe+catcher+in+the+rye&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1

- If you want to explore how great thinkers like Kant, Heidegger and Kierkegaard would've have reacted to Holden's tale, the book Cather in the Rye and Philosophy is a good collection of essays: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catcher-Rye-Philosophy-Bastards-Popular/dp/0812698002/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZOH6CFHHJS3F&keywords=the+catcher+in+the+rye+and+philosophy&qid=1642680393&s=books&sprefix=the+catcher+in+the+rye+and+philosophy%2Cstripbooks%2C102&sr=1-1

- The reclusive author was not an easy subject for a biographer to 'catch' but one of the most sympathetic biographies is Kenneth Slawenski's work: https://www.amazon.co.uk/J-D-Salinger-Kenneth-Slawenski/dp/1400069513/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2TFWCFSORS5HX&keywords=jd+salinger+kenneth&qid=1642680522&s=books&sprefix=jd+salinger+kenneth%2Cstripbooks%2C82&sr=1-1 

- The author's son gave a recent interview about his father: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2iYrFGeT3s

- The filmmaker John Hughes has been called a J.D. Salinger for the eighties. Here is a collection of his movies and a book that analyses them: https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Hughes-5-Movie-Collection-DVD/dp/B082PQTRCY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9ELT7Z33RFJL&keywords=john+hughes+collection&qid=1642681158&s=dvd&sprefix=john+hughes+collection%2Cdvd%2C108&sr=1-3 and https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Hughes-Eighties-Cinema-American/dp/186171436X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y45Q0W9RQM2D&keywords=john+hughes&qid=1642681018&s=books&sprefix=john+hughes%2Cstripbooks%2C96&sr=1-1



Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Reading Cure

About the Podcast

The Reading Cure
Books that change lives.
In this bibliotherapy podcast, Dr Steven Davies and Dr Alexander Fox discuss the life-changing insights that great books have to offer. Each episode offers an in depth, mental health-focused analysis of a chosen book, and through their conversation, Alex and Steven try to get to the root of how we can best use that author's wisdom to avoid common pitfalls and live happier, more fulfilling lives.
Support This Show

About your hosts

Steven Davies

Profile picture for Steven Davies
Dr Steven Davies is co-host and co-creator of The Reading Cure podcast. He is currently studying for an MSc in Counselling. Steven has a degree in Economics and a PhD in International Relations from the University of St Andrews; as well as a BA in Literature from the Open University. He has over 12-years experience working in education.

Alexander Fox

Profile picture for Alexander Fox
Dr. Alexander Fox is co-host and co-creator of The Reading Cure Podcast. He has an MA (Hons) in philosophy, an MSc in Counselling and a PhD in English Literature (on the works of Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter) . He has a private counselling practice in Dundee, Scotland (https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/alexander-fox), and he sees clients online through a Harley St. clinic in London (http://www.westlakeclinic.co.uk/dralexfox.html). He also supervises counsellors/ therapists.