'Of Mice and Men' did

I had purchased both 'Catcher in the Rye' and 'Of Mice and Men' at the same time having vaguely remembered that I had enjoyed them both in my teenage years. Whereas 'Catcher...' disappointed me this time (read post below) , 'Of Mice and Men' was absolutely wonderful.

The way John Steinbeck builds-up the two main characters inspite of it being a short book is a testament to his great writing skills. Despite it being a pithy tale he offers the reader insight into farm life, race relations and dreams of migrant workers in California during the '30s.

The poignant ending moved me to tears.

'Catcher' didn't do it for me

I just got done re-reading The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger. Although I couldn't recall the story line, I remembered I had enjoyed it the first time and picked it up at the bookstore thinking that it would evoke a similar response this time around also. What I didn't take into account was the fact that I was a teenager the first time I read it and probably related to Holden Caulfield's angst, alienation and depression. Show me one teenager that hasn't experienced one of the three in some form or the other.

To be honest, I found it to be quite the drag and was waiting for some kind of a twist or an increase in pace that never occurred. I am sure it was the controversy surrounding it that it did so well when it was published. Remember, it came out during the buttoned-down '50s America.