Review of The Catcher in the Rye - Jodie Granger

Salinger appropriately composed this tale by using aspects of his teenage life to create a familiarity with the surroundings of his protagonist, including the setting, and a sense of displacement driven by his failures in several prep schools. The Catcher in the Rye offers so many traits that different readers can relate to. Often it's audience can sympathise with Holden's angst and teenage rebellion, and in some cases pity this character's 'madman' phase, which links to the 'coming of age' theme in literature, or 'Bildingsroman'.

"I share Caufield's contempt for 'phonies' as well as his sense of being different and loneliness..." - Jonathon Yardley, Washington Post
I think an important feature to the novel is this character's opinions and perceptions of other people and himself; on the subject of adolescence, at 16, this boy's unveiling to society and the adult world is explored and developed, which typically to most children, increases their understanding of the world around them. But to Holden it seems, increasingly through his journey, he experiences confusion and is openly clueless towards why certain things happen; questioning about the ducks, and his change of character when he's faced with the harsh reality of the prostitute, suggesting his trouble with accepting these new thoughts and events.

This all relates to the pursuit of maturity and understanding; to seeking the unknown truth seen within the style of a monomyth. But strangely, Salinger doesn't intend to depict a typically structured monomyth, instead he strips this style apart to something rather different, which could be seen as just about a "spoiled rich kid kicked out of a fancy prep school..." - Yardley

"Some have argued that Salinger's tale of the Human Condition is fascinating and enlightening, yet incredibly depressing." - Eric Lomazolf
I feel the protagonist continually suffers from the Human Condition, due to him beginning the stage of life where one starts to question the issue of 'purpose'. This could involve having a certain insight to religion, and in chapter 14, he argues how 'after he committed suicide...Jesus never sent old Judas to Hell' whilst the 'Disciples would've', he may understand that without Judas forming the role of betrayer, Jesus wouldn't be a Messiah, therefore it would be unfair sending him to Hell. Although Holden claims he's an 'atheist', he still understands that Jesus is a forgiving person.
It's also interesting how he questions the morals of religious beliefs, but still respects it, shown by using capital letters for pronouns in his narration; 'Disciples', 'He' etc.

Other features like this in the novel display how Holden is looking for understanding, whilst other characters are just conforming to their role in society, with material perspective. And through Holden's curious nature and explorations - like the scene with the cab driver - Salinger forces the reader to ask questions about our own lives, social systems, and human behavior.

Ostrich Boys: A Review by Ellie Nichols

A uniquely crafted book perfect for light reading. The author, experienced Keith Gray, constructs a story, unusual and thrilling. Excitement rolls inside '"It's not really a kidnapping, is it?" Kenny said "He'd have to be alive wouldn't he? For it to be a proper kidnapping I mean."' Characters Blake, Sim and Kenny are about to race into a journey of chaos, worry and friendship. Running with the ashes of their dead best friend Ross from Cleethorpes to the pin-prick-on-the-map Ross, to give him a proper funeral one that actually has some significance,unlike the one that didn't feel like it belonged to their best friend Ross, bouncy and happy. He'd always had an impact on thier lives, little do they know how much impact he can still have. This rites-of-passage story can barely be contained in the meer 353 pages it is, but yet again Keith Gray manages to envelope all readers with the language and themes he uses. Combining the skills he already has with other authors like Louis Sachar (Holes). A great story that manages to bring underlying themes to the surface, hard to believe it all started in Gray's head.
The strength of friendship makes this novel even stronger . If you've always wanted to see what true frienship is like but never actually experienced it, this book engrosses you in every way. A thrilling story that shows you the path of three boys chasing Ross the pin-prick-on-the-map with a zealousness that only they could possess.

The Hunger Games

I was recently handed The Hunger Games to read and I would like to shake the lender by the hand. What a thoroughly good read! If you haven't heard about it by now, what planet have you been hiding your sorry little head on. It's great.
Set in a future world where America has become one gigantic global city state supported by 12 Districts, the story follows a young girl called Katniss who takes the place of her sister in something called The Hunger Games.
This future world is very much unlike our own: it is run by a central hub where people enjoy all the luxuries of life, whether it is food, fashion or the games. They are a society that enjoys all the hard labour of the twelve districts whilst the districts themselves struggle to feed their own families and are policed by cruel Peacekeepers who will happily execute you for minor offences, or whip the skin clean from your back.
Every year there is a competition, unlike any competition we know and much more like the barbaric games the Romans used to enjoy in ancient times. Katniss becomes a contender in the Hunger Games where she must survive against her fellow competitors who are all out for blood. There can be only one winner and with two participants from each district, she faces 23 enemies who want nothing more than to see her face down in a ditch, their spear, arrow, knife, dagger firmly planted through her heart.
Suzanne Collins (the author) has created a compelling world that will draw readers in through the first person account of Katniss, our narrator. It has been made into a film recently, but nothing compares to reading about Katniss' world and immersing yourself in the fight for survival that she must undertake.
Classed as 'young adult', this book is suitable for 11 and up, up and up. I'm 34 and didn't want to put it down!

Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone

You've probably heard of this book already, and if you haven't read it yet I think you'll enjoy it.

This is a story about Harry and his two new friends settling down for their first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry only to discover that they have a part to play in the downfall of the evil Sssh! You-Know-Who. You will like Harry Potter. He's shy and self-doubting and puts up with a lot from his awful aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon and fat cousin Dudley. Poor Harry lost his parents, supposedly in a car crash, when he was a baby and that was when he received the strange lightning-shaped scar across his forehead. Ever since then he has slept in the cupboard under the stairs at the Dursleys' perfectly normal house in Privet Drive and the best thing he has to look forward to is starting at the local secondary school next term - well away from Dudley who will be going to his father's old, expensive school, Smeltings.
But, other people know a lot more about Harry than Harry does himself. That lightning-shaped scar is a matter of enormous interest and Harry is about to discover that he has a lot of friends, and enemies, in a rather different kind of world from the one he was brought up in.
This is a book about magic, but there's plenty of reality. Settling into a new school, making friends, learning who to trust and who not to trust and when to obey school rules and when to overlook them. There's a great deal of humour in the book. You might find the magic funny - visit Diagon Alley to purchase all your Hogwart's kit - but there is strong evil magic too and you won't doubt the courage that Harry has to show in the final chapter.
Written in a strong narrative style with straightforward but not over-simplified language there is enough in this plot to think about whether you are Harry's age or Sssh! You-Know-Who!