second opinion
Scottie Bowman (bowman@mail.indigo.ie)
Wed, 29 Apr 1998 06:39:23 +0000
There has recently been a discussion on the Austen list
about books that should come with a health warning.
Someone called Cassia van Arsdale recently submitted
the following opinion. I must admit I was mildly shocked
to read such ruderies in such genteel surroundings.
'...The book I think should most bear a warning label would
be JD Salinger's _A Catcher in the Rye_. I read this for
the first time when I was twelve and I thought Holden Caulfield
was a prat. As this is the favourite novel of so many of my
friends, I read it at least four more times over the years and
my opinion has changed: I later thought him a git and now
I believe him to be a wanker. This character is worse than
Fanny Price [of Mansfiedl Park] in his holy innoscence and
wisdom act, at least Fanny WONDERS if she could possibly
be acting wrongly and Holden never does...'
What do you think of that, then ?
Scottie B.