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Summary: The definition of Excellent Literature: "Catcher in the Rye"
Review: I was given the assignment of reading the "The Catcher in the Rye" in tenth grade and quickly feel in love with it. This book captivated my imagination and I found myself in another world. Holden is a mature male who is faced with everyday challenges which he needs to overcome to suceed in life. Holden is on the outside of the world looking in, so he has first hand accounts of events which he can describe to readers. A great trait this novel has is that it was very personable. Readers can relate to the experiences Holden overcomes, and sometimes even trips across. Readers are reminded through out the literature that Holden is human like everyone else. He makes mistakes and must pick himself back up and through his actions readers can see the strength it gives a person. Throughout "The Catcher in the Rye", Holden Caufield describes his world how "his eyes" see it. He is very bold and tells it like it is, for example throughout the the novel he vividly describes the phonies who are intertwined throughout people in everyday life. The Catcher really teaches you what you don't like about yourself and gives you a passage way to start over on. He condemns all the horrible people who are man-made by envy etc. and makes readers want to change people people for the better. This book will open your eyes, and hopefully inspire you to look deep inside yourself and criticize.
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Summary: A Boring Book
Review: I was hoping this was going to be the genre fitting my type: teenage rebellion and socialism, etc., but it didn't at all. Obviously, cynicist Holden Caufield complains about everything, but the book was completely boring and developed no plot, and I never got through it. I strongly suggest something more like "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys," which is like "Catcher in the Rye," but is much more humorous and has a plot, even though their main focus is teenage rebellion and socialism, life, troubles, sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. E-mail me anytime... Bobby Petty.
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Summary: Excellent book
Review: I was interested in reading "Catcher" due to its history from Mark David Chapman up to its inclusion in "Conspiracy Theory." As an aspiring writer, I was very impressed and entralled by the style throughout the book. I loved the conversational writing and feel that's at least 50% of the charm of the book. It's very engrossing and very true-to-life. I don't want to read a literary work that reads like a Medical report. Conversations have real language, descriptions, tangents etc --- and "Catcher" is Holden's story of depression. Which brings me to another reason for liking the book.....I can relate to Holden's plight. I'm now 20 and a sophomore in college, but I feel very isolated away from home. I have very few friends at college, and many of my high school friends have changed drastically. I'm changing, too, and I feel like I don't have anyone I can relate to. As "corny" as it may sound, I relate with Holden and his isolation from society. But not everyone will have that relationship with the character. I believe many who read it will find a piece of themselves floating around in Holden's mind, though. Be warned that it is not a "plot" book, as many reviewers have complained. True - It doesn't have a plot, per se, but it is an interesting story that through reading, I think, allows for much self-evaluation while Holden searches for himself and his role in society. If anyone would like to discuss the book, feel free to e-mail me!
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Summary: It's a guy thing
Review: I was introduced to Salinger by a female friend. She recommended I read "Franny & Zooey," which I enjoyed so much I went to the bookstore the next day and read all of "The Catcher in the Rye." I liked it much better. Salinger resembles Vonnegut (one of my other favorites) in his ability to make the characters the plot. This book has no real bad guys. It's the story of a 16 year old trying to make sense of his world, as he's moved beyond the affectations and prejudices of his peers, yet doesn't have the age or the understanding to be accepted as an adult. There's no great action, no blatant mysteries to be solved. Salinger does an excellent job of making us see the world through his character's eyes, and in this case, as one reviewer mentioned, it is a very narrow view. This story evokes the wonderment one feels as that narrow view slowly expands. And that's the beauty of this book. It's like a painting, but of an entire stage in life I think we! all go through. Or maybe not all. When I told the girl who had recommended to me "Franny & Zooey" my preference for this title, she was surprised. I told her I thought it was a guy thing -- the social wrestling in the bars, the macho wrestling in the dorms, the confusing encounter with a prostitute -- all represent a different area in which any man must feel accepted and competent before truly feeling complete. Interestingly enough, another male friend to whom the same girl had recommended "Franny & Zooey" also had gone on to read "Catcher." And he too preferred it, claiming it was a "guy thing." Simple enough to read quickly through the first time, profound and real enough to read again and again. And to get something new each time.
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Summary: Let me say a few words.
Review: I was just browsing through the customer reviews of this book, and although I'm sure no one gives a damn about what I have to say (in the rare case that anyone will ever even read this review), I would like to offer my opinions and arguments with those who dislike this book. First of all, the issue of teenage angst is a difficult one to depict in words. It is a difficult one to depict without actually being a teen. Most of the depictions of teenage life these days are rather exploitative. They mostly tell teens how to behave and do not show the true side of adolescence. To those readers who complain that Holden is an "immature malcontent" and so on, teenagers are often immature and often are malcontents. If Salinger led you to believe that Holden is an immature malcontent, then his mission was accomplished. At the current age of 17, I can relate to Holden's character moreso than any other teenager depicted in the media. Although Salinger's style of writing is a little too elementary to be called a "classic," I feel that Holden Caulfield should be the model for teens. Here we have a character who hates change and wants to be a "catcher in the rye." When I see children shooting each other, I feel that this is a noble goal for anyone to have. While you are entitled to your opinion, keep in mind that if the world were full of Holden's "phonies" it would be a conformist nightmare. Thank god for people like Holden.
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Summary: One of the best books ever!
Review: I was just given this book to read for grade twelve english and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely fell in love with this story, with Holden. I mean the guy just killed me. This was a truly great book (and this is coming from a teenager so if I kept reading instead of watching MTV you know it's good)! Read it, read it now!
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Summary: a book that is the epitomy of absolute boredom!
Review: I was made to read this book for my English literature class. I hated it after the first few pages. This Holden seem to be on 'the road to nowhere'. He wants to tell us something and then doesn't. This person is lost! The book is extemely subjective and broken like glass. He decides to do something, but does not really think of its consequences...no wonder he gets expelled! I read this book as a teenager (16) and I still remember being made to stand up in front of my class to explain why I thought this book was/is CRAP! I thought that nothing this guy is thinking or doing is similar to my thoughts and that of my friends at the time. The book itself is written like it just wanders from one thing to another throughout these three days. There is a lack of thought to what he does. Especially the near miss with the prostitute. If he had stayed any longer in New York...God knows. I don't understand what being a 'catcher in the rye' can achieve someone in life. This led me to conclude that he is a total dreamer. However, his dreams are as careless as he is in life and this is reflected heavily in the book. What I have learnt over the years is that the guy who shot John Lennon had this book on him at the time of the killing.
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Summary: Whoever disliked this book and trashed it should seek help.
Review: I was obliged to read this novel in eleventh grade. Obviously, I cringed at the fact that I was being forced to read it, a book which looked dull and anything but promising. However, subsequent to reading this, I determined that this book might just be the most breath-taking book I've ever had the oppertunity of reading. Holden and the remainder of the characters were so realistically portrayed, you felt as if you were tagging along with them the entire time. I've read this ingenius book many, many times, and not once has it failed to entertain me.
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Summary: The most amazing book ever
Review: I was reading one of the reviews and it was asking what the catcher in the rye was. It said that the author should have chosen a title that went along with the book. That is just sad. Maybe, next time, you should actually pay attention to what you're reading and you just might get why so many people believe this to be one of the best books ever written.
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Summary: The Catcher in the Rye
Review: I was required to read The Catcher in the Rye for school and I must say that it was my favorite book that we read all year. Holden, the main character, is a cynical teenager and the book is about his "adventures" after getting kicked out of school. I really liked the way the book was written. It uses slang and cuss words just how it would be like if Holden was actually telling you his story. The plot is very exciting and makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens. It is a fabulous book that I would recommend to any teenager or adult.
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