• Welcome to BookAndReader!

    We LOVE books and hope you'll join us in sharing your favorites and experiences along with your love of reading with our community. Registering for our site is free and easy, just CLICK HERE!

    Already a member and forgot your password? Click here.

Books like Catcher in the Rye

P

Prawnking

New Member
Catcher in the Rye-alikes

Hi all, new poster here!

As I assume many of you are very well-read, was wondering if any of you could help me out.

Are there any other books, especially English/British, which have a similar theme to Catcher in the Rye, that of a cynical young boy/man wanting to make a change in his life, or feeling restricted by his surroundings etc.?

Doesn't matter whether they're old, new, popular or unknown.

Thanks!
 
I can't think of any UK examples off the top of my head, but I have always thought of Kerouac's On the Road as a sort of thematic extension of Catcher. You might also want to check out:
Loop's Progress by Chuck Rosenthal (now out of print)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
A Short History of a Small Place by T.R. Pearson
They aren't necessarily directly in the mold, but are books that I think relate.
 
I heard somewhere the Vernon God Little by D.B.C. Pierre is a bit Catcheresque. I haven't read it, though, so you'll have to check yourself.

Cheers, Martin
 
In store today, I noticed The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides has the following front cover:

aimages_eu.amazon.com_images_P_0747560595.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I haven't read it myself, so I can't confirm it. Hopefully someone else can comment
 
Martin said:
I heard somewhere the Vernon God Little by D.B.C. Pierre is a bit Catcheresque.
Click to expand...

Vernon God Little is one of my favourite recent reads...It's very entertaining and the title character is VERY Holden-esque...

I would also recommend 'A.H.W.O.S.G.' and 'You Shall Know Our Velocity' - both by Dave Eggers...
 
Prawnking said:
Hi all, new poster here!

Are there any other books, especially English/British, which have a similar theme to Catcher in the Rye, that of a cynical young boy/man wanting to make a change in his life, or feeling restricted by his surroundings etc.?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Whilst I don't think this description really captures the theme of Catcher in the Rye (which is, IMO, about mourning and emotional isolation, not cynicism), The Patrick Melrose Trilogy (aka Some Hope) IS about a cynical young boy/man who wants to make a change in his life and is set among English artistos. It is a much more cynical book.

There's a discussion thread on Catcher somewhere on this site that you might look at. Other books might be mentioned there.
 
I'm gonna start off by saying: I'm goin to an art camp (I hate calling it that because it sounds like a kiddy thing,) for about 4 weeks in the month of July, and for that reason I'm going to need a few good reads. I'm 17, I love drama, uh, adventure, and romance I guess (but not too much) and whatever combination of the three. What I'm pretty much looking for is something famous, something that's acclaimed by critics and/or has survived the test of time. Basically I'm looking for a no-miss classic, because I too often gamble on new authors and end up extremely dissapointed. Now, in regards to the title, I recently read Catcher in the Rye and have to say it really got to me.
I love Catcher in the Rye. It's the ideal book for a person like me, so if anyone knows anything like it, I would love to hear about it. Thanks for any help or advice. Some other books that I like are, fahrenheit 451 and the princess bride.
 
For books similar in "feel" to Catcher, I would suggest:
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert Pirsig
On the Road - Jack Kerouac
Short History of a Small Place - T.R. Pearson

For a blend of adventure, drama and romance:
King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard
Victory - Joseph Conrad
(though they are quite different from one another)
Little, Big - John Crowley
(ditto)

I'm afraid that's the best I can do without more direction.
 
O, to be 17 and headed off to art camp for the summer!!!

Lord of the Flies
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Great Gatsby
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (maybe, depends on your taste)
Brave New World

If I think of more I'll come back. You are going to have such a great time!
 
What does "Black Dog Strut" mean? Is it like Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog"??

Perspiring minds want to know...
 
You know what- I felt exactly the same way (as in is there a book in this world that compares to Catcher in the Rye).. I happened upon a new book no less that did it for me. And I read all of the titles mentioned above, some were close, some not so good.

Up until now I would have to say the Great Gatsby came closest even though my affection for that one was for obviously different reasons.

Anyway, I cannot recommend this one enough: A Space Between by Jason Rider. Never does it copy any of Sallinger's themes but it does push all of the right buttons. I have been looking for this book for years (proverbiably of course as its new)- and cannot believe a classic like this could come from a modern-day writer.
 
fluffy bunny said:
In store today, I noticed The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides has the following front cover
Click to expand...

But who trusts what the publishers put on covers these days? ;) Personally I think that the comparison between the two books isn't too strong, but it could be argued.

I recommend Kazuo Ishiguro's When We Were Orphans, which I just finished reading. The plot is that of a young man (also an unreliable narrator) who in trying to achieve his lifelong dream of finding his kidnapped parents does so overzealously, often missing out on the actuality of what is occurring around him. Plus is set in both England and Shanghai.

Good luck!
 
"The Perks of Being A Wallflower" has often been compared to it. Before anyone freaks out over that - I don't agree. It gets a lot of flack because of that and because it was an MTV book and whatnot, but in my opinion it is a good book. And I recommend it to anyone and everyone. :flowers:
 
What about just reading other Salinger books? Franny and Zooey for example. If you're looking for a book that is mostly about what's going on in the character's mind, then go for Notes from Underground. It's...similar in certain ways, but it's hard to tell just what you liked about Catcher in the Rye to say if you'd enjoy Notes from Underground (by Dostoyevsky by the way).

I agree with A Clockwork Orange, even though it's so different! But it's definitely a must read and I read it when I was in high school too.
 
Not necessarily in the style of Catcher in The Rye, but I'm currently reading an authors response to it. Its called King Dork and its by Frank Portman.
 
Catcher for today: WALDEN

I suggest WALDEN by Michael Dolan. Very much like Catcher, though set in today's college world. If you like the character of Holden, I think you'll also like Walden.
 
When I was reading The Catcher in the Rye, I was reminded of atmospheres of The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving. I guess it's because of all the young people in both of the novels.
 
I believe someone has already mentioned it, but A Clockwork Orange - Burgess, is very good and follows your guidelines (If you dont mide a bit violence and sex).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top