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Summary: If you only read one book...
Review: Reading this book was almost a religious experience for me - I enjoyed it that much. If you don't know the plot of the story already, its basically the story of a High School student (Holden Caulfield) who hangs out around New York for a while after he's flunked out of yet another high school. Before he goes home, he wants to make sure his mother gets the letter and has time to read it over before he gets home so she won't explode on him. However, the true beauty of the story lies in Holden's commentary throughout the book, not in the story itself.Holden is very cynical and skeptical; more so than your average teenage high school student. Nearly everything he sees he immediately dismisses as "phony" and begins to go into great detail about how superficial or stupid it is. And the thing is, Holden is always right. Though some people think he is nothing more than an obnoxious misanthrope, Holden holds a lot of insight into the world we live in. Anyone who does not give this book four or five stars obviously does not understand the meaning behind the book. While the book is often extremely funny and witty, it is not a book that is meant to be read by junior high students who picked it out for a book report because it looks shorter than the other books. Nor is it meant to be read by conservative adults who think that a book like this is nothing short of blasphemy. This is a book for anyone who has ever felt alone in life, for anyone disenchanted with the world we live in, and for anyone who simply wants to see the world thrue a new and beautifuyl set of eyes.
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Summary: holden is an idealist
Review: really a great book. i just read it again (i read it about 10 years ago initially) and like a vintage chablis (forgive me if i'm crossing wines as i'm far from an afficianado) it improved with time. i enjoyed it as a youngster, but after a decade's worth of wendy's double burgers (everything no mustard) and a few vats of scotch on the rocks, i've really come to appreciate that holden was a great idealist. sure he complained and griped, but that was only his facade. the last line of the book (much more telling than the first quoted above) states that he missed everyone, even the kid that punched his face in, terribly. he missed everyone terribly because he dared to experience direct life with them. his dissapointment arose when someone drew boundaries, or demonstrated a narrow vision (e.g. the old professor at his prep school repeating over and over again that he would have to get serious if he wanted to take his rightful place in society - but all the while failing to answer holden's real question; what is the meaning of our society?). in the end, holden is like roberto begnini (the crazy little italian that won an oscar last year) - he wants to be in the firmament making love to everything.
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Summary: Loved it!
Review: Really loved this book, read it as a teen and related to theperspective of the hero. I still like to read it occasionally.
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Summary: Literary Masterpiece? - Don't think so.
Review: Regardless of all the accolades and glowing reviews this book has gained over the years, I remain adamant that this is one of the worst books I have ever read. The writing is, in my opinion, awful as well as being boring to read. The only reason I ever even finished this book was because I had to do a report on it. Now many people are doubtless going to argue that this book "defines a generation" or maybe "exemplifies the struggle for maturity in urban America" or some other fancy phrase. That it may be, but for a book to win your approval, you actually have to like it. Now, some may be saying that I am a crusty old fart who hates everyone and everything and does not understand the struggle that Mr. Caulfield is going through. Not the case. I am currently 16 years of age and read this book when I was 15. This fellow embodies all of the qualities that I despise in people. Irresponsibility, arrogance, obnoxiousness, laziness - these are just a few of the things that I hate about Holden. A harsh review you say? Well that's just my opinon and I have a right to voice it.
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Summary: Holden; The ramblings of a mad man
Review: Review by Michael Sullivan This book was one of the most effective that I have ever read. I felt like I too was losing my mind after seing the world in the same way Holden does. I looked around me and saw the phony values and the "Fuck you"'s written on the walls. I felt like I was Holden when I was walking around seeing people. It scared me that someone who sees the world like I do cracked.
I am going to read it again. e-mail me with your comments! Good or Bad.
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Summary: Great amazing characters
Review: Right now I am sixteen and in the midst of adolescence. I have heard that one can't truly understand the book till they are past this stage, and I tend to agree with them, because every time I have read this book, I have gained some new understanding of it. I see many of my friends in the book, it captures the pretentiousness of adolescence perfectly. I can understand now how naive and ludicrous Holden's statements about "phonies" are, but at the same time it seems holden is trying to make all his scattered cynnical views convalesce into something more concrete. And there is something quite romantic about his journey through New York. Definitely the book's strongest points are the characterizations. You have to love how Holden describes Stradlatter and all the various girls he goes out with.This year I am going to read the book again for English, and I'm sure that it will once again be a completely new experience.
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Summary: An Example of Descriptive Writing
Review: Salinger epitomizes the art of descriptive writing. Holden's thoughts, though random, are so vividly displayed in front of the reader, it would be near possible not to see what he is feeling, seeing, experiencing. I was fortunate enough to have missed being forced to read this book in high school. Instead, three years later, I made the decision myself. I believe that made all the difference. I, now, can appreciate the magnificence of this work.
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Summary: Incredible book.
Review: Salinger has been criticized for an overabundance of pathos through the story, as opposed to objective 'tragedy' as one critic termed it. I think this is a myopic criticism however, CITR is much more modern than any true tragedy and it aptly portrays the confusion of the time (that continues untill modern times). Pathos is undoubtedly the best way to express this confusion. Salinger's prose is refreshing becomes it doesn't have a distinct theme to it, sometimes ineffable emotion is better than indoctrination. It's interesting to note that those who didn't like the book were somehow forced into reading it.
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Summary: The Best Piece of American Literature that has existed
Review: Salinger has sucessfully portrayed the feelings of the average American Adolescent... To not read this book would be to contradict the necesities that all Americans endure. A classic, Salinger's Holden Caufield works himself into every reader's psychie, as well as their emotions. Even today i have been unable to find an individual who has NOT been able to relate to the trials of Holden... he is an inspiration to be oneself.
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Summary: Everybody Loves Holden
Review: Salinger is a genius. When I first heard of this novel and decided to read it for a class assignment, I was not thrilled. For one, the title sounds terrible, and, two, anything labeled as an American Literature classic usually means BORING. Well, I was terribly mistaken. This book truly is an American classic. From the first page to the last, you will be completely mesmermized by our hero, Holden. This book was written from the heart and the best way to describe it is that it is real. It is written in real language, with real feeling, emotion. It is about real life from the eyes of a teen. I would recommend this book to people of all ages who are looking for a good laugh, or just want to read a darn good book. Once you open the pages, Holden will become a part of you, and I guarantee you will enjoy it.
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