Show notes
🎉 Season 11 begins Tuesday, June 9th — The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
The final chapter is half a page long. It takes about two minutes to read. The discussion takes considerably longer. Beowulf joins Dan and Jennifer for the first time during the actual reading, and what they discover in those few sentences changes how they see the entire book. Also: a flashback to a wigwam, an organ recital, and the origin story of a podcast that almost was.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
The moment all three hosts realize where Holden has been telling this story from — and Dan's anger at what the parents did
Dan's 1984 PTSD: "Even when we do Charlotte's Web, I think that pig is gonna die. Burlap bag. Rats."
Beowulf's observation that changes everything: "He was his own catcher in the rye. He caught himself."
Dan's hopeful reinterpretation of the title — catching kids at the bottom and helping them survive, not preventing the fall
Jennifer's refusal to accept the world as it is: "I don't accept it. I will always fight against that."
The Season 4 flashback featuring the world-famous Wigwam restaurant in Kewaskum, Wisconsin
The origin story of Cereal Killers — the podcast that almost was
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The people who ban this book say they do it to protect children. This is a book about a kid whose entire reason for existing is to protect children. They are banning a book that agrees with them.
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Coming Up Next:
Catcher in the Crosshairs — a special true crime episode exploring why The Catcher in the Rye has been found at some of the most infamous crime scenes in American history
Season 11: The Handmaid's Tale — begins June 9th
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Disclaimer Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The Catcher in the Rye has been one of the most frequently challenged books in America since its publication in 1951, and was the most censored book in the U.S. from 1961 to 1982. It's been removed from schools and libraries for profanity, sexual references, and "anti-social behavior" — but the deeper reason is that Holden Caulfield gives teenagers permission to question authority, reject conformity, and say out loud that the system feels broken. That's the part that actually scares book banners.
Is there a podcast that reads The Catcher in the Rye chapter by chapter? That's us. Banned Camp reads a different banned book every season, one chapter at a time — neither host has read ahead, so you're discovering the story together in real time. Season 10 covers The Catcher in the Rye, and every episode includes the chapter reading, discussion, a fact-checking Robot, and a segment on why books get banned.
Do I need to start Banned Camp from the beginning? No. Every episode opens with Robot's recap of the previous chapter, so you can jump in anywhere. Most listeners tell us they started mid-season and went back to the beginning after they were hooked.
Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 26, Holden Caulfield, Phoebe Caulfield, D.B. Caulfield, Beowulf Rochlen, season finale, The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood, Catcher in the Crosshairs, true crime, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast