Catcher in the Rye

Rating:
Summary: a REAL story, but it seems to drag on
Review: The story and characters are real to life with the problems of teenagers, but Holden (the main character) seems to complain a little too much. The book starts off well and then drags on, and on with all the stuff and people he hates. I would still recomend reading it though.

Rating:
Summary: From the mind of a 16 year old.
Review: The Story begins with Holden Caulfield's fourth dismissal from an all-boys prep school. From beginning to end he lacks direction yet in his own scrambled way he is searching for answers.

Again and again he rambles on about how depressed and bored he is. Continuously complaining that he is surrounded by phonies; his banter goes off on tangents that never seem to lead him to any solutions. Holden reminded me of a teenager with Attention Deficit Disorder who when given solutions couldn't seem to process them.

The redeeming part of this book was Holden's relationship with his sister Phoebe. Younger than Holden, she seemed to have more direction and sense than he has ever had. I liked his affectionate name for her, "old Phoebe". The tie in to the title was an interesting aspect of Holden's personality. In his dreams he saw himself as standing guard on the edge of a field of rye, catching all the children who were about to fall over the edge. Similar to his outlook in life where he seemed to protect those that were in need.

I know to some this book brings back fond memories of days long past, and a coming of age story that has lasted throughout the decades, but I don't see what the cult like fascination with it is. Kelsana 1/22/02

Rating:
Summary: This is a very good book
Review: The story is basically about the experiences of this kid, Holden Caulfield, over about a three or four year period. He leaves the prep school from which he's just been expelled and finds himself with lots of time to kill before going home to get the business from his parents. His Mom will probably suffer some type of nervous breakdown and his Dad will probably just kill him. No foolin'. But, you never actually find out WHAT they did to him, though you do find out where he ends up, sort of. This book is a pretty easy read and, after reading it, you will probably understand the importance of learning how to dance - good. This book remains my favorite over the last 20 years, and I read quite a bit.

Rating:
Summary: Lively, in-your-face cynical views of a troubled adolescent
Review: The story is completely narrated by the main character, Holden Caulfield, so there is very little, if any, conversation. Holden is a troubled teenager who has been kicked out of a private high school just before Christmas vacation. Like any teenager, he isn't eager to tell his parents that he's been kicked out of school. He's also getting very frustrated watching all the "phonies" in his dorm. But he's not expected home until Wednesday and it's Saturday. He decides to just leave school and spend a few days in New York City before going home. Holden takes you on a tour of New York City from the dark side of a person with little money and nothing to do. His outlook is very negative, but this is not surprising when you find out how nothing really goes his way. The story is told in a language diffirent from today's. His cut down remarks are "phonies" and describe their looks or actions as "crumby". It takes a little getting used to. Holden can't seem to get a break from his friends, teachers, or his family. His older brother is a successful writer, but Holden thinks he's sold out because he works in Hollywood. His other brother died while young and you can tell it bothers him. I kept reading because I was curious what was meant by the title, The Catcher in the Rye, and was still a little confused, to tell you the truth, when it was explained.

Rating:
Summary: A story that will make you laugh and make you cry
Review: The story of a young boy who goes through adolescent and experiences the "usual" and "unusual" experiences of life. A great insight to what goes on in the head of some teenagers. The book provided me with some logic of why certain things happen. A great book for teenagers, and also a great book for adults who are trying to understand teenagers.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever written
Review: The story of a young man who finds himself as he experiences life for the first time. This poignet story will strike a chord with all audiences reminding them of what it was like to be a teen out in the world

Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: The story of Holden Caulfield who drops out of school. He is a mixed up teenager and narrates the novel. He hates "phoniness", basically the way adults compromise and so lose their ideals and accept that loss and stop searching for the truth. It will change your life. John Lennon was shot by a man who gave his reason as to get more people to read Cather in the Rye.

Rating:
Summary: timeless story about the teenage experience
Review: The story, taken at face value is definately worth 4 stars. Funny at some points and touching at others, those who enjoy reading will enjoy this book. The story takes place over a few days in the life of a cynical 16 year-old. We see the world through his eyes, his observations of the people around him and their behavior.

There is more there than just a story: "The Catcher in the Rye" is taught in schools around the world for a reason. Really, this book is about the teenage experience, about growing up and alienation. These are things that we can all relate to.

Read this book at least once; if you want to take something away from this book, you will. Otherwise, it's still a good story.

Rating:
Summary: Has to be read at least once...
Review: The storyline dragged in some places, and it jumped around an awful lot. Holden's vocabulary was kind of limited, but maybe this was the author's intention? Nevertheless it is a classicthat has to be experienced at least once.

Rating:
Summary: My opinion of "the catcher in the rye"
Review: The storyline of the book is good, but Salinger could have used a better style to write it. He writes about a really weird person who has minority complexes. The book is supposed to be an autobiography, but I think it is exagerated. Salinger uses a poor style, and often swearwords. The book is inapropriate for younger and older people. You should be a teenager to like it and you shouldn't search for any Latinized words. That could be the reason why it wasn't published early in GB in the original version. I liked most of the book (maybe because I'm a teenager) but he often repeats the same sentences. The book has long passages, with few tension, which make it hard to read sometimes. But all besides that it wasn't too bad. It is a great achivement for a 17 year old boy to write a story like that.