Catcher In The Rye
Does anyone else see parallels with J D Salinger's stories?
Holden Caulfield, the main character in Catcher In The Rye has become dysfunctional due to his cynicism engendered by what he perceives as the 'phonyness' of the adult world. Much of the novel involves Holden 'shooting the bull' - lying or exaggerating in conversation, or pretending to be someone he is not.
The final scene in The Comedy is reminiscent of the end of another of J D Salinger's stories, A Perfect Day For Bananafish, in which a disillusioned adult finds some escape in play on the beach with a young child.