The Meaning of Life and Other Vegetables

Hello everyone.

Today I feel like sharing my unimportant opinions about some books. Despite the title, I hope no one will make their reading choices based solely on the below. In some places/instances, the disclaimer I just made is more than what schoolkids get from the education system, as the subject books are mandatory reading (I know, I know, some of the kids don’t read them even when that’s the case…). I’m going to write about three books that I think are great; and about one that I think isn’t.

The first one is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This is taught as a classic in some schools, and in my opinion – rightfully so. I think it’s a great book that anyone who’s into reading should read at some point. Other than speaking about racism and social justice, it also reminds us how justice and compassion can be found in unexpected places; and more generally – how things are often not what they seem (which is a favourite theme of mine, as you already know if you’ve been reading this blog).

Next up is Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Another school classic, though I suspect it is typically taught at an age too young for the students to fully appreciate its significance. I love this book. It is a wonderful allegory about human nature, and about how societies evolve (or devolve) when there are no pre-established ethics and no pre-existing concepts about right and wrong. Confession: I grew up in a kind of “Lord of the Flies” situation, and in hindsight it was shocking for me to realise how that book describes what is possibly an archetype of feral kid society, where such would be allowed to emerge unhindered.

The third book is George Orwell’s 1984, which my kids had the good fortune to be “forced” to read in high school. I’m not going to write about it now, because Orwell is arguably my all-time favourite author (and person, maybe), and I intend to dedicate at least one full post to his books. Either way, while I’m glad some schools introduce Orwell to students, I’m a little uncomfortable with the thought that they actually drive students away from him by making it mandatory. 1984 is NOT the first (or second, after Animal Farm) Orwell book I would offer anyone. That’s the last book he wrote, and his masterpiece; as such, it should probably be read LAST. Speaking of which, perhaps it’s time for me to read 1984 again…? [another book I’m considering re-reading is The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi; but now I’m totally digressing from today’s topic.]

Now, to the last book on today’s post.

I am about to commit heresy (maybe even blasphemy); I’m well aware of it. But as Dr. Hollis says, enlargement always comes with increased anxiety; security and comfort are the hallmarks of regression. So let me own my enlargement, and then you are free to stone me…

I am talking about Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. I’m not sure why, but I came to read this book relatively late in life (let’s say late 40s, I can’t remember exactly). I’m having a hard time thinking of another book that got the same kind of treatment in our Western pop culture – there are so many references to it (and to Salinger) in other artistic works – books, movies, plays, maybe even visual art and music – that it’s almost like it enjoys a subculture of its own (obviously, Salinger’s withdrawal – not much different to Orwell’s or Pirsig’s, after coming to success/fame – helped fuel that subculture). By the time I got to reading Catcher, I was so certain that this is a must-read classic, that I was almost ashamed to admit to anyone that I haven’t yet. Then one day I decided that the time has come to put an end to my misery, and just read it. Short book, classic, what a delight – right? I was sure I would enjoy it and be so inspired. Hm. No. Quite the opposite.

Now you must be thinking “What do you even know?… Do you even have any literary background?” [no], or “Poor you, you just failed to note the subtleties of this masterpiece.” So be it. You might be right. Regardless, my authentic feeling about this book is: It’s a very average book, with an uninteresting / uninspiring plot, one or two average-developed characters, and “hidden messages” (?) that might have been mildly bold at the time it was published. To me, the most prominent feature of the book is the abundant use of “bad words” – that might have been brave / novel at the time it was published (late 1940s), and perhaps Salinger deserves historical respect for that. But this is hardly a reason to maintain this book as a “classic” +70 years later. Same goes for addressing depression and anxiety at teenage – these are old news by now.

Nice coincidence I just noticed, as I was writing this post: Orwell’s 1984 was published at about the same time (1949)… It has much fewer “bad words” in it, but it’s far from being prudent, and it holds so much more weight regardless. A real classic, that rightfully lives on well into the next century, with arguably more relevance and power than ever.

Peace to all.