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Jade asked this question about The Catcher in the Rye:
Am i the only person who fails to understand why this book is considered a classic, to me it was boring and tedious and the plot failed to engross me as many other books have?
Lucinda That is probably the reason why I'll never consider it as a masterpiece in my mind. To me a masterpiece actually doesn't need context. It is self-cont…moreThat is probably the reason why I'll never consider it as a masterpiece in my mind. To me a masterpiece actually doesn't need context. It is self-contained and as a story anyone can relate to. Same with the characters.

Truth is, I don't know much about post-war America and I have to admit I don't really care about it. Same in many other parts of the world in fact. Plus this sense of victory and pride, well, there are many reasons why this period of contemporary history doesn't echo with my interests. It feels a bit to "manly" to me, and I felt the same with On the Road, which bored me to death.
Also there are many other novels where not much happens but I loved because of the style, characters or any other thing.

So Catcher in the Rye is probably an American classic in the standard acceptance of the term. But it will never rank as a masterpiece of modern fiction along with Steinbeck, Nabokov or Harper Lee. (less)
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The Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger
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