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Summary: inspiring
Review: this book will change the life of any thinking being that absorbs it from cover to cover. your worldview will change....it's as though, suddenly, everything is much clearer.
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Summary: THE great american novel?
Review: This book will go down as one of the great works of the 20th century, in my mind at least. Words can't describe how much this book speaks to dissatisfied and alienated people who perhaps understand life just a little too much for our own good. There may be little in the way of a storyline, but is there really any such structure to life anyway?
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Summary: An articulation of our contradictory beliefs
Review: This book will, as it has done to me, and to an innumerable amount of people, captivate and enthrall you at every single turn. People generally,have many misconceptions about the book, especiallly after the killing of John Lennon- although I'm not insinuating that the book did not prove to be a catalyst for that reaction, it just seems to me that the irrational mind would have been defeated and betrayed to kill such a peace loving individual whether or not he had read this marvellous book.
The books protagonist, Holden caulfield, is the embodiment of all of our morals and ideals; the regular defiance of corrupt authority, the complete and utter loathing for phonies and the dream which is plainly, yet beautifully put as " All i ever wanted to be was the Catcher in the rye". For those of you unfamiliar with the text, the metaphorical suggestion of being this catcher, is to keep children innocent; stopping them from falling into the depths of corruption, greed and avarice. However, what has always struck me is the obvious contradiction between his personality and what he believes; he acts like a member of the cynical generation x, but incorporates all of the traits typical of a revolutionary.
The book, unlike many others, which now try to go to extremes to shock people, has the simplest and minimalist plot presented in a form just as simplistic; yet I am still fascinated by Holden's continuing nostaligia and pensive tone, the claustrophobic sex and ghosts which always haunt him. Salinger was truly ahead of his time here.
When speaking to several of fellow readers, they complained that the book did not hold any relevance today, therefore was not worth their time, unlike Wuthering heights, they said. However, this book is as relevant and significant to soceity today as it was when it was released; look at our governments, idols, musicians, footballers etc. We live in lottery ticket, game show nation that want to be millionaires and anarchists simultaneously; Holden shows that we can't.
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Summary: Catcher in the Rye Book Review - A Teen's Perspective
Review: This book, "Catcher in the Rye," by J.D. Salinger, accurately depicts the life of a student, Holden Caulfield, in the late 1940's, who has just side-stepped his educational career by failing out of high school. He then wanders around New York City, avoids going home with the one exception of visiting his sister, and does not tell his parents about flunking out.
I liked this book for a number of reasons. I felt it was easy to relate to his feelings, and Salinger easily shows what is going through this teen's mind. There were many times in the book where I just couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next. With so many twists and turns, the only way to find out was to read on. However, the negative side of this book also revolves around the thoughts and emotions of Holden. Many times throughout the book, the same emotions are displayed, where Holden says the same reaction about people. It becomes annoying when he says the same phrase over and over again.
Despite those negatives, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading again in the near future. This book was highly controversial in past years, especially in the late 1960's. Nevertheless, this book is compelling, and I recommend it for all who love to read over the age of 16 due to a high level of profanity.
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Summary: hm..?
Review: This book, to me, is a classic. I know that fact in itself is debatable and contraversial, but it is something I definitely believe. Before this book, I hadn't read anything that was written in the same style. I thought the way Salinger wrote was refreshing and perceptive. Perhaps not all teenagers think like this, but I don't think the book was meant to be a typical portrayl of a teenager. The one thing I liked most of all about the book was probably that he did seem to me like a real character. The way Salinger wrote the book almost seemed like her was telling a true story. The thing that affected me the most in this bok was the way it practically seemed to be screaming "ADD" rather than "spoilt rich kid". I would recommened this book to anyone simply to say they've read it. Whether you like it or not is up to you.
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Summary: Amazing and unique
Review: This book, to say the least, is very unusual. But I think that's why I love it so much. Holden Caulfield sounds eerily like any teenager you might've run into back then, or even now. This book is completely unique; it doesn't even really have one dignified plot, but instead, many subplots. This book is a page-turner because it's very interesting in the sense that it's about everything in the world, and nothing at all. This is a must-read, and I promise you will never forget it.
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Summary: Took its place long ago
Review: This classic book took its place long ago in the cannon of great literature narrated by children or teens. Twain's "Huck Finn," Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," and McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood" are just some of the others, but "Catcher" is different, for when it emerged on the scene, it was like nothing else to come before it. But then, come to think of it, neither were "Huck" "Mockingbird" or "Dogwood." I suppose all of these books have one thing in common, and that is that they changed the way we look at literature--the way we look at everything that came before and after. But even with that observation, something about "Catcher" is totally unique. Possibly it's Salinger's "voice" since there has been no other like it. Possibly it is Salinger's expert capturing of teenage angst--the veritable inner turmoil of what it's like to be a teenager. Now, keeping this thought, realize WHEN the book was written. A totally different age where swearing, staying out late, and all the other things Holden does were not acceptable. You have to put this book in the context it was written. If you do, I'll guarantee you that you'll like it. I must also recommend Salinger's "Nine Short stories" as they are excellent character studies and even better, in my opinion, than "Catcher."
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Summary: The Catcher In The Rye
Review: This classic novel is about a young lad growing up in the fifties struggling through the process of life. Rejected from society and fighting to be himself he cannot seem to do anything right. Basically, Holden Caulfield complains for 214 pages of agony. There are some good symbolic parts to it containing homosexuality, zen buddhism, and alienation. Yet, the novel lags in creativity and difference in sections. Salinger did a wonderful job of whining about nearly the same subjects throughout the whole book. Although the book is not very good it is not terrible. I found the symbolism interesting but the main text repetitive which, quite frankly, bored me. Every other word out of Holden Caulfield's mouth is a complaint, which is not too bad for a few chapters, but the whole novel seems to be based on his lack of interest for life and depression which he cannot deal with or vent. Overall, the book did not interest me much because of the excessive whining and the fact that the book did not flow.
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Summary: A BAG OF EMOTIONS WITH FUN
Review: This famous book has captured many hearts especially young ones because its is so realistic and satisifies what you expect out of a struggling teen's life with a lot of insight. It is easy to compare to the main character because it clicks after every chapter the message and humor. It is funny in all the right places and random too, but it is also filled with expressions. This great book should be on anyone's read list.
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Summary: Holden is the best
Review: This has been one of my favorites. Every time I return to it, I always seem to find something more in it. Structurally, it is challenging. Although the vocabulary is simple, the repetition of symbolic imagery makes this a complex read on one level. Holden's fascination with ducks, museums, and even bathrooms is intriguing. But on a personal level, Holden gives voice to all the things that we once thought but found too dificult to face square on. For example, what happens to our loved ones when they die? What is the meaning of life or the point to living? I think part of his answer is that the connections we have with those whom we love, although temporary, is what keeps us motivated to live. We want to see and be with those who mean the most to us. We want to see them happy and their happiness is what makes us happy. It took Holden a long time to figure this out. He contemplates suicide, escape, and even undergoes a mental breakdown. But the ending to me is positive in the sense that he foregoes his unrealistic desire for an ideal world, one without evil, and accepts the bad in order to enjoy the good this world offers. This book inspires those who think life is meaningless and offers them something to value in a world that sometimes seems to lack any value.
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