The Catcher in the Rye
question
Do you have to like the narrator to enjoy the book?
Demetrius
Jun 09, 2014 03:24AM
Must you have to like, understand, or relate to the character in order to enjoy a book or rate in highly?
(I see that people reject the book because they don't like Holden here.)
(I see that people reject the book because they don't like Holden here.)
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No, one doesn't have to like the narrator. I personally didn't care for the narrator because in his naivete, he thought he knew better than everyone else, but that didn't mean that the book itself was bad or that I did not enjoy reading it.
You don't have to like a story's narrator, but you do have to sympathize or empathize with him on some level; the reader must feel some understanding and acceptance. Many readers may not like Holden in the sense that they wouldn't choose him as a friend, but because they understand the why(s) behind his cynical outlook, they can value his story and particular point of view.
Demetrius wrote: "(I see that people reject the book because they don't like Holden here.)"
Ironically, the ones who seem the most repelled by Holden often exhibit some of his more offensive traits.
But to answer your question, no, you do not have to like or feel sympathetic toward or identify with a narrator, even when the narrator is the protagonist, depending on who you are--your capacity for understanding human nature.
Ideally a main character needs to be someone we care about, whereas the person telling the story needs to have credibility, so a narrator needs to be someone we can trust.
Unreliable narrators are difficult for many readers. Other than Holden, a notable example of this is Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby. Nick's judgement is called into question because he seems enamored with Gatsby, whose story he is telling. (Some will of course take issue with this assessment of Nick, but you get my drift.)
Holden as a character is fascinating. He's like a human train wreck; you can't peel your eyes away. As a narrator, he is either fascinating or frustrating, depending on who you are. I think he was fascinating, but I was happy to put the book down at the end after being trapped in Holden's troubled head for so long.
Ironically, the ones who seem the most repelled by Holden often exhibit some of his more offensive traits.
But to answer your question, no, you do not have to like or feel sympathetic toward or identify with a narrator, even when the narrator is the protagonist, depending on who you are--your capacity for understanding human nature.
Ideally a main character needs to be someone we care about, whereas the person telling the story needs to have credibility, so a narrator needs to be someone we can trust.
Unreliable narrators are difficult for many readers. Other than Holden, a notable example of this is Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby. Nick's judgement is called into question because he seems enamored with Gatsby, whose story he is telling. (Some will of course take issue with this assessment of Nick, but you get my drift.)
Holden as a character is fascinating. He's like a human train wreck; you can't peel your eyes away. As a narrator, he is either fascinating or frustrating, depending on who you are. I think he was fascinating, but I was happy to put the book down at the end after being trapped in Holden's troubled head for so long.
I don't think you have to like the narrator. For example, in "We Need to Talk About Kevin" I hated the narrator (Kevin's mother), but I still liked the book, because I'd say that the most important factor is how well the book is written.
I'm just fine with hating a narrator as long as they end
up on Death Row or in the skull ranch like Holden
or whatever - it's all the more satisfying that way.
up on Death Row or in the skull ranch like Holden
or whatever - it's all the more satisfying that way.
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