Catcher in the Rye

Rating:
Summary: Amazingly undescribable
Review: At no time in my life did i think that anyone could understand what my life involved. But to discover a book based on the life of a adolesant just like me, i found phenomenal. Holden, the protaganist, tells us of three complex and interesting days in his life while he is on the verge of a breakdown. The novel tells us of how he searches for the perfect relationship, one which he can rely on. This special relationship turns out to be that between himself and his sister phoebe. Overall, i found this an easy book to relate to and if you consider yourself a reblous teen, you will find your self picturing you in the place of Holden. Too good for words, and will stay in the hearts of teens for generations to come.

Rating:
Summary: I've been selling the book's merits since I was sixteen.
Review: At the age of 28 I'm still interested in other people's views (esp. teens) of Salinger's work. At the age of 16 my brother, who is now a MD, PHD at MIT, gave me a copy of the Catcher for my birthday. A few months later a pessimistic, sarcastic, and underachieving teen got around to reading the book and my life changed completely. Anyone reading this knows what the book is about. Very few people think the book is "just OK" They either love it or hate it. Like many other addicts of the book I have several wore out copies, including one from the 50's that I prize as one of my most prizes possessions. I was happy to see the book make the top ten. I know that very few books have such loyal followers as "The Catcher in the Rye". I'll go to my grave forever wondering what Salinger thought and wrote about in his spare time all those years after the book.

Rating:
Summary: Controvertial (lots of bad language)
Review: Be warned, this slim book is controvertial because it contains foul language. I am not particularly sensitive to such language, having grown up around some wonderful, earthy characters, however even I found this excessive -- puerile even. Perhaps shocking for the sake of being shocking? I was turned off and just stopped reading it after a while (which is unusual for me). I did not see enough of the expected "artistic merit" to spur me on further. By all means give this book a try -- you now know what to expect, perhaps you'll have better luck. Either way, write you own review -- maybe I will be inspired to try again!

Rating:
Summary: Mildly interesting but repetitive and over-rated.
Review: Because I think good literature is timeless, it bothers me when a favorite book is labeled on these pages as "probably good when it was written but boring and dated now." But I'd have to apply this statement to Catcher In the Rye. I first read it nearly 30 years ago but re-read it a few months ago. I can't say "it killed me." It just bored me.

Rating:
Summary: My all time fave
Review: Before I got past the first page of this book, I was hooked. While some of these reviews tend to identify Holden as a stereotypical teenager, and teen angst ridden, I knew right away he wasn't stereotypical. Most teenagers wouldn't worry as much as he would. Most of his comments aren't angry as much as down right honest. This book centers around the theme of a guy trying to save innoncence, and his refusal to see that it's impossible. Funny thing is, most of the people that write him off as whiny are the very people that Holden is against.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: Being a 16 year old high school student, I had to read this book for English and thought it was great. I understand how some people can find this book absolutely pointless, but Holden really does tell life like it is, saying things that I believe we all think in our heads in one point of our lives. This is a book every teenager should read.

Rating:
Summary: catcherintherye
Review: Being a jerk teenager who constant complains about everything and everyone to myself, i thought i should read this. Of course, like everyone who's read this book, i could relate to alot of what holden caulfield did or thought. Especially because both holden and many other misanthropic youths complain about the most minute, stupid things, stuff that really shouldn't matter.
Another thing that was addressed that hit me like a load of bricks, was hypocrisy, such as holden's labeling of all the "fakes". Such as when he's talking to his teacher, and he's (in his mind) yelling at him and such, but what he actually says is just as far from what's on his mind, as the what the teacher says, and i do this ALOT. And of course, reading that, didn't inspire me to say whats on my mind, didn't change me at all, so i guess it did nothing but raise my hypocrisy up another level. As much as holden thinks he does, he really doesn't want to hurt anyone, or else he would say all his critical thoughts.
I also found myself criticizing Holden, himself, for stuff like: how can he be soo disgusted with humans, and still dance with those women, who are by my standards some of the wrost examples of humanity (not all women, but the ones at the bar), How could he buy them drinks, and so on. And that single-handedly proved the point of the book, even the ones who complain so much about how bad humans are, arent perfect themselves, maybe equally bad. I don't mean holden by that, but it applies to him too.
If you've ever wanted to slap every human that ever walked by you with a goofy smile on their face, read this, and you will either miss a few major points, and continue to want to slap people (like me). And/Or, you'll recognize those points, and be too much of a hypocrite to change yourself(like me). And (not or) you'll enjoy the book, no matter what you think its point is. There isn't any hard-to-get college english course stuff in here, its a GREAT human story (keyword: human). that should affect everyone in some way.
At the bare minimum, you'll be occupied with a good story for a couple days.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: Being an avid teenage reader, which is a real rarity these days, I told my mother to buy me some "classic books" for my birthday. When the day came to open up my presents, I immediately went for the books eagerly wondering what my mother has gotten me. I flip through the books quickly reading the names as I go along, "Lord of the Flies....The Great Gatsby....The Catcher in the Rye...". The last title particulary sparked my interest since I read a newspaper article recently that mentioned the book. That night I started to read it... and I just couldn't stop! By the time I was finished I felt that I knew Holden Caulfield personally. His perspective on life made me think a little more about what's going on in this world. This is a classic book that ANYONE could get into, especially teens. It doesn't get frusterating to read at all (unless you really hate the mild swearing). I've read this book through about 6 times now and I'm still laughing, smiling, and having a great time reading it. This book is a must for most people. If you're really touchy about the swearing, stay away! It's a masterpiece though, J.D. Salinger simply outdid himself.

Rating:
Summary: one messed up book
Review: Being bored one day,I happened to glance at my book shelf and spotted catcher in the rye. Hearing about this book in a couple of movies(conspiracy theory being one of them) I thought i'd check it out. From what I have read I can see why it appeared in the movie. After reading I could n't help but look at the world in a different way. And thats not such a good thing!Holden is a paranoid peccimist and an alcoholic and chain smoker. But hey thats cool we all have problems. Some or his views are very scary in a way(like his thoughts on museums) Its kind of overwhelming at times and I grew worried I might start thinking the way he does! At times the book is funny and at times sad. I kept hoping he would actually do something like go really crazy(taxi driver type crazy) but he didn't. Throughout the book he doesn't really do anything but his experiences are still amazingly intersting and revealing of his vulnerability and mental state. I really recomend this book. After reading it you won't look at things the same way again. Or worse yet you'll catch yourself thinking the way he does!

Rating:
Summary: Nothing spectacular
Review: Being something of a grouch myself, I looked forward to reading this one, knowing in advance something about the main character. Yes, he has a lot of grievances about the world, but they're not particularly entertaining, as, say, Jonathon Swift's were in Gulliver. Add to this the absence of a storyline and you get something disappointing, in my opinion. And I'm sure there are about ten thousand people now disagreeing with me. If you want to read some nasty insights about the human race, stick to Gulliver's Travels....in my opinion.