The Catcher in the Rye

A novella by American author J.D. Salinger, published in 1951. After being expelled from high school due to poor grades, Holden returns to New York, but is unable to return home to his parents. The novel tells the story of two days he spends there, told in his own words. Holden is kind enough to say that he wants to be the one to catch children playing in the rye who are about to fall off a dangerous cliff, but he is also strict enough to see through the hypocrisy of those around him. However, he becomes desperate when he finds that most of the people he meets are tainted by the "fake" of the adult world, and decides to escape to the countryside. However, he is saved by the innocent love of his little sister Phoebe, and awakens to a broader love for all humanity. Holden's boyish sensibilities and refreshing style of storytelling made the book an overwhelming hit with young people.

[Tanaka Hiroshi]

"The Catcher in the Rye" translated by Takashi Nozaki (1964, Hakusuisha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アメリカの作家サリンジャーの中編小説。1951年刊。成績不良で高校を退学になったホールデンが、ニューヨークに戻りながら両親のもとに帰りにくいまま過ごす2日間のことが、彼自身の口から語られる。ライ麦畑で遊んでいる子供たちが危ない崖(がけ)から落ちそうになったとき、つかまえてやる者になりたいと語る優しさと、周囲の人物の偽善を鋭く見抜く厳しさとをもつホールデンだが、出会う人物のほとんどが大人の世界の「いんちき」に染まっていて絶望し、片田舎(いなか)へ逃げ込もうと決意する。しかし幼い妹のフィービーの無邪気な愛に救われ、広い人間愛に目覚める。少年らしい感覚と痛快な語り口で若者に迎えられ圧倒的人気をよんだ。

［田中啓史］

『野崎孝訳『ライ麦畑でつかまえて』（1964・白水社）』

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