A Reader's Companion to J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

by Peter G. Beidler, Calloway M'Cloud (Cover Art)

Peter G. Beidler’s Reader’s Companion is an indispensable guide for teachers, students, and general readers who want fully to appreciate Salinger’s perennial bestseller. Now nearly six decades old, The Catcher in the Rye contains references to people, places, books, movies, and historical events that will puzzle many twenty-first-century readers. Beidler’s guide provides some 250 explanations to help readers make sense of the culture through which Holden Caulfield stumbles as he comes of age. It provides a map showing the various stops in Holden’s Manhattan odyssey. Of particular interest to readers whose native language is not English is the glossary of more than a hundred terms, phrases, and slang expressions. In his introductory essay, “Catching The Catcher in the Rye,” Beidler discusses such topics as the three-day time line for the novel, the way the novel grew out of two earlier-published short stories, the extent to which the novel is autobiographical, what Holden looks like, and the reasons for the enduring appeal of the novel. The many photographs in the Reader’s Companion give fascinating glimpses into the world that Holden has made famous. Beidler also provides discussion of some of the issues that have engaged scholars down through the the meaning of Holden’s red hunting hat, whether Holden writes his novel in an insane asylum, Mr. Antolini’s troubling actions, and Holden’s close relationship with his sister and his two brothers. Readers of A Reader’s Companion to J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye will wonder how they managed without it before.

258 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2008

Reviews

[Peyton Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd had this book when I was reading Catcher back in high school. I had no idea how big an influence it had been, not only on subsequent writers but on film as well. The Reader's Companion is not a long book, and the open layout (designed for quick reference) makes it go quickly. I was also interested to see how thoroughly Dr. Beidler has explained many common colloquialisms and slang usages that I would have taken for granted. With the passing of sixty years since Catcher was originally published, several generations have passed, so today's readers need this level of explanation. The photos of places that Holden visits, as well as explanations of their significance, would be a help to anyone not familiar with New York City. He also comments on how English Language Learners need help with the idiomatic language. Again, I would not have thought of that. If you enjoyed Catcher in the Rye, then this is well worth reading.

[penelopewanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening of this book is interesting, pointing out the links between other novels and The Catcher in the Rye, and referring to research done by numerous authors and various theories put forward about the book and its interpretations. The glossary is useful for EFL students. The recaps of the chapters are useful, probably, but seem to stop at fairly superficial explanations (ie: NYU is New York University situated at such and such a place...) Occasonally there will be a welcome explanation of connotations (the fact that they played tennis at this or that place meant they were wealthy, for example), but I would have appreciated more depth in this part of the companion. This being said, I have never consulted Cliff or York notes, so I really didn't know what to expect.

[L.E. Fidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

good overall resource for CITR. too bad i'm not teaching it this year. =(