Catcher in the Rye

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Summary: first read July 4th
Review: I'm 42 male, I was supposed to read this in high school but didn't. A friend who constantly lies, 30yo, he lies about everything to everybody, grand stories, "he could be the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life", told me to read this book. I love the earthy american writing. I understand my friend better, but goddam, I feel sorry for him.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome for the Ages
Review: I'm 52. Majored in English. Made phenomenal living for the past 30 years as a writer. Just gave Catcher to my 13-year-old son (kids are growing up faster than they did in '59). My kid finished the book, looked at me, and said "Dad, did you tell this Salinger guy about me?" 'Nuff said. Brilliance, though fleeting, is eternal and deserves our respect

Rating:
Summary: Not the greatest American novel, but close
Review: I'm a 14-year-old girl, and frankly I'm disgusted whenever people dismiss Holden as whiny or sick. I think the Catcher in the Rye is one of the most sensitive books I've read in a long time. I myself am tired of optimistic self-help writers and objectivity. I mean, sure, Holden complained a lot, but at least, when he was confronted with phoniness and mediocrity and perversion, he didn't form a little optimistic cocoon like those writers whom most people enjoy. And, as a teenager, I can tell you that most of the behavior Holden observed or succumbed to is very real, and when Salinger confronted it in his novel he wasn't making it up or being overdramatic. Holden never found perfect human behavior, or even managed to attain it himself, but at least I know that someone else tried to do that, rather than lying and saying everything was fine with society.

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: I'm a 17 year old girl and I thought this book was great. It's written in a way that keeps you interested. I found it to be funny and a bit sarcastic. At first the book doesn't really seem to have a story line but soon you realize that there is more to the character and story than you might have first thought. some people might not see the messages behind the book but even still, its an interesting book.

Rating:
Summary: By far my absolute favorite novel!
Review: I'm a 17 year old girl, and one might think I can't possibly have read enough books to choose an all time favorite, but I believe I have. On whim, I picked up this book in New York City, and day or so later had finished it. It's the novel I read when I'm bored. It's the novel I take with me everywhere. I always keep it near me. I've underlined things, I've quoted it in my articles for the school newspaper. Now I sound like I'm obsessed, but I'm not. The storyline isn't something everyone can relate with, yet there is a sense of relation when you finish the book. A person almost hopes that he or she would have acted the same way if put in Holden's situation, because he makes it so amusing. This is worth the 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: Honesty is beautiful
Review: I'm a 20 year old guy and was recommend this book by a friend, as I often like my friends to do. We all walk around with a slight bit of contempt for humanity, but reading books like The Catcher in the Rye makes us just accept things a bit more. That's why we like bands like Radiohead. We're all in this battle together. It really makes us better people, and less "phony," as Holden tries to put it. I felt closer to my friends, and even to my family after reading it--is that a bad thing? The Catcher in the Rye is a story about love ultimately, and it's quite touching. It's about reaching out, and being a good listener, and about clearing up the swirling mass of contradictions in our heads to ultimately lead to maturity. Sure, I like epic books about heros, and the ideal man too, but the Catcher in the Rye isn't one. If I had actually read this book in high school, it probably would have benefited me. It's funny though, because, not surprisingly, I rebelled against my English teacher and didn't want to read anything. I'm sure she'd be happy now that I read books on purpose. Anyway, I wrote this to let all people who might be in my situation (not an especially insightful or critical intellectual), that they might enjoy a book that hits close to home. And for those who aren't, it is nice to know that more people out there will indeed have a better understanding of people like me...

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Summary: ...
Review: I'm a book critic, and this was the worst book I've ever read,
and I'm a book junkie. What's with the double negatives? The plot lacked an awful lot. The whole book was a waste of my time and money. I wish someone had warned me about it before I purchased it. My old journals make better reading than this novel, and that's not saying much. If you hear me, skip this one! SNOOZE !...

Rating:
Summary: This book is average. In many scenes it's also boring.
Review: I'm a german student in a summer school in America.I had to read the book in "Advanced Reading and Writing". The book acts from a teenager called Holden Caulfield. When he gets kicked out of his school, Pencey, he goes to New York where he meets some friends, his sister Phoebe and collects new experiences (e.g. with a prostitute). The book is dominated by Holden's ideas which lead him in some problems. He's a very emotional guy who likes thinking about things which happened to him.These very often happening scenes make the book pretty boring.Holden also often thinks that other guys are "phony" but for me, he's the most "phony" person in the book. This book is good written, but more something for real bookworms, than for guys who just want some easy-and -nice-to-read-book. It makes no sence just reading the book, but as a school-lecture, where you discuss about the character and the feelings and Holden and the deeper meenings of his some sta! tements, it's good.

Rating:
Summary: Good example of how people exaggerate things.
Review: I'm a high school student and I guess it's uncommon that I haven't had to read "The Catcher in the Rye". I read it on my own because I've heard a lot about it. It was even mentioned in a movie, "Conspiracy Theory". I was disappointed to say the least. I did enjoy some parts, but I think all the hype about it being a classic and all got my hopes up. I frequently found myself trying to discover what the point of the book was. Holden was really just a lazy student who liked scotch. He wasn't unique or dynamic in any way. It's not bad if you have to read it, because then you're at least going to get credit for it.

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Summary: A great book to brazilian teens
Review: I'm a portuguese teacher in Brazil and I recommended this book to my class, because I loved it and saw same similar conducts in my teen's students. Really, I think that Hanson show us all troubles of life that disturb kids in this time of life.