Rating: 
Summary: Different. A classic
Review: A sad story of youth depression and Alienation. The book is set in narrative form, all from the point of View of sixteen year old Holden Caulfield. The book is not for the strict, the language is not done in "proper English", and Rather more in the way one might talk. I would recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: This is the book.
Review: A special gift to who have to think about the humankind and the society.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay, when does the 'Classic Literature' start?
Review: A very good friend told me that I MUST read this book. That it was a 'literary classic' and was her favorite book of all time. So I buy the book and start reading, waiting for the new insights to start rolling in. And waiting, and waiting......AND WAITING. I guess this pointless dirvel may appeal to the "awwww, nobody understands me" baby boomer generation but to me it was a complete waste of time. By the end of the book, you can't decide if you are more irritated with the character (Holden Caulfield) or yourself for wasting your time on this twaddle. Don't become another victim of hype, skip this book and read something 10 times more insightful, like "The Cat in the Hat".
Rating:
Summary: A very good book
Review: A very very very very good book. The langague and the story being told by Holden makes the book very interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Great coming-of-age story
Review: A very well-written book. It took Mr. Salinger 10 years to complete it. It is probably hard to think and write like a teenager when you are not one.It is a first-person narration by Holden Caulfield, a 16-year old boy, who was kicked out of prep school. He spends 2-3 days in New York city on his own rather than going home to face his parents. The book describes Holden's view of the adult world, his likes and serious dislike of 'phoniness' in a very distinctive language. This coming-of-age story is a must read for everyone, especially yougsters who are in the teenage years. I wish I had read it when I was in my teens. I would have found someone I could identify with at that time (well, why deny it, even now): the way Holden's thoughts go every which way as he gets distracted and his overactive imagination about the future.
Rating:
Summary: We all have a little bit of Holden in us...
Review: Absolutely the best novel I was ever forced to read.(Eighth-grade English class...)So good in fact, I've read it at least a half dozen times over the years. In Holden Caulfield, Salinger has created one of the most enduring and sympathetic literary characters of all-time. I think it is safe to say that most of us, whether we'd care to admit it or not, can find a little bit of Holden within ourselves. Holden is the perpetually troubled child. Emotionally wrecked by an ugly, unforgiving world which shattered his hopes at an early age, Holden constantly rants and raves. Hurling venemous attacks on the evil "phonies" whom he believes are to blame for his woes, Holden ostracizes himself from everyone except his loyal sister Phoebe. The beauty of "Catcher in the Rye" is that the story, and the sentiment it provokes, is still relevant a half century after its original publication. True, most of us won't go as far overboard as Holden does, but certainly his disenchantment will strike a universal chord with many people at various times of their lives. So go ahead and read it again and don't be surprised if you have a different perspective of Holden with each reading. Perhaps you'll loathe him, or perhaps you'll love him. Maybe you'll laugh hysterically. Maybe you'll simply shake your head in disgust. No matter what, you'll never be bored reading this all-time classic.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Book Ever Written Next to the Bible
Review: After 50 years in publication, and 25 years since I personally read this book for the first time, this book stands up. Whether read chronologically, or opened to any page, this book will make you think, laugh, reflect, and observe. Truly seen from the eyes of a sensitive adolescent on the verge of adulthood, this book captures the absurdity of every human nuance. Recommended to anyone who ever breathed.
Rating:
Summary: Overrated drivel.
Review: After being forced to choke this down in High School 15 years ago, and hearing a contemporary who recently re-read it rave over it, I sat down to re-read the what everyone seems to call "An American Classic". I didn't finish 100 pages. I fail to see what the fuss is about. I hated it in High School and couldn't finish it 14 years later. It's poorly written, dry, quite boring in its masturbatory ramblings, and lacks any sincere depth. Angst? No, its self-pity at its worst. The line between a cynical critique and mere whining is crossed so far that it is a point in your rear view mirror. How can you feel anything for this character? The scariest quality is that the whiny "disenfranchised" teens of today still identify with a character, who if he survived, would be their grandfather. I feel that this only perpetuates the cult of personal irresponsibilty that pervades America. The undercurrent that leads people to seek excuses for their actions, like "I was abused", or "I had post-partum depression." This is poorly written complaining. I agree with the teenager who whined for 200 words and asked for the Pulitzer.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully Written
Review: After finishing "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger I was astounded How could a book that is lacking every aspect of a plot, covers only two days and is about a 16 year old teenage boy be so highly regarded. Even though the book is not a "masterpiece" in my eyes, it is still a good read. Salanger is a master at using figurative language at is skilled at appealing to all ages. No matter how old you are, you most likely can relate to this book in one way or another. This book isn't just a book about some kid named Holden, it is about life and the struggles with moral issues, family, friends, sex, lies, and troubles from within. Not the best book but defiantly a book to have read. Remember, to enjoy it you must look beyond the printed word. Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: My own life written in these pages
Review: After finishing the last page of "The Catcher in the Rye", I suddenly got a strange feeling like someone was reading my mind. I got this unexpected urge to check my room for video cameras, like everything that I had done or thought or said in my life had been recorded by some voyeur. This was the effect that "Catcher" had on me. Holden Caulfield, without a doubt the most fascinating literary character ever written, seems to be the essence of every teenager on the face of the Earth, myself included. Many of the thoughts expressed by Holden have, at some time in my life, been echoed in my own mind. It was truly all I could do not to scream out "I totally agree with you!" during a few points in the book. This is what makes "The Catcher in the Rye" the greatest novel ever written, the fact that it is such a brilliant reflection of at least some of the hopes, fears, and desires of every single teenager out there.
|
