[yarddog]

We had to read it in class around 1960. I never did understand what it was trying to say.

[MplsSteve]

“I never did understand what it was trying to say.”

Neither did I. But then again, I was in junior high at the time and there were always more important things to think about at the time.

Maybe I’d appreciate it more now.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Absolutely agree. I had to read it in high school in 1987, then I re-read it as an adult with my fiancee in 1998. Still incomprehensible dribble.

Stories like this are pretenders to the literary world just like "modern art" is the participation trophy to the visual arts. It's the output of a Western World in decline.

[pepsionice]

In twelve years of school....we had one single book mandated (Uncle Tom’s Cabin). Oddly, it wasn’t the English instructor who mandated it (history teacher).

[PGR88]

We had to read it in class around 1960. I never did understand what it was trying to say.

Indeed, it was merely about teen angst in a world which is not understandable. Its post-modern nihilism.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

We read it around 1967 in high school. I remember that I didn't enjoy it at all and, like you, didn't discern a theme. The one thing that I recall is:

"Sensitive. That killed me. That guy Morrow was about as sensitive as a goddam toilet seat."

"sensitive as a GD toilet seat" just cracked me up. Weird thing to remember, huh? (I did have to look up the exact quote just now, though)

I also remember one funny line from "The Missouri Breaks" movie. Cowboy was helping a cow give birth and remarked "slipperier than snot on a doorknob."