Rating: 
Summary: A surprisingly humourous story of cynicism!
Review: We are first introduced to Holden Caulfield, the narrator of this story, when he is seventeen. From his voice, we are lead into three days of his life when he was sixteen, just expelled from prep school and alone in New York. Now, that isn't the most exciting plot in the world, and I know many have said that the plot is downright mundane. It isn't the plot, however, that makes this book such a literary classic. Through the eyes and words of Holden Caulfield, we are handed that rare glimpse of the heart of every rebellious teenager in the world. There is not a page that goes by without Holden complaining about a phony teacher or a phony act, and by the fifth chapter, you start to realize that it isn't the world that is phony but rather the boy himself who sees it that way.
A look at the rebel in all of us is hidden deep inside the heart of Holden Caufield's narration, and within the 'goddamns' and the'phonies', we begin to realize the alienation that he feels is what each of us felt as we grew up in a world that moves a little too fast around us. There is also an underlying humour in Holden's depictions of various scenes and conversations, as if he sees everything as a joke on himself. An altogether thoroughly enjoyable book, something every teenager must read as we face the rushiing waters of life.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best book I've ever read.
Review: We had to read this for a school assignment, but luckily I had the chance to read it before we had to tear it apart word for word in class. I just couldn't put it down. What people do wrong when they read this book is that they label Holden's way of thinking as taboo, and begin to think of him as mentally ill or severely depressed. This book is not for everyone, because many do not understand what Salinger is trying to get across. But if you think you are open-minded, give it a try. I personally found this an amazing book that lays out the truth about the people of the world even when some people don't want to see or admit it.
Rating:
Summary: Burn all yr other books this is the god of all novels!
Review: We hate yuppy scum, we hate phonies and fakers, we hate school, infact we don't really care too much for anything if we're at all synonymous with the wonderful, original teenage slacker that is Holden Caulfield. In one of the shortest novels I have ever read, JD Salinger manages to grip me in a constant state of shared anguish, shared adolescent humour, and the kind of hobo longing suggestive of the Kerouac style. To say this is one of the greatest books ever is simply not good enough. There aren't enough stars in the universe to give Salinger for this work. Such honesty, such gallant disenchantment, such ponderous misanthropy, such a tongue in his cheek and such a wonderful story.
Rating:
Summary: A Touching Story That Reaches The Heart
Review: We recently finished reading The Catcher In The Rye in my American Literature Honors class in high school. I found the book very enjoyable! It is interesting how the book was written several years ago, but it does not seem to be from the past. The style of writing is thrilling yet descriptive at the same time. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a book that seems very life-like and true.
Rating:
Summary: A good book.
Review: Well I'm 10 pages away from finishing the book and it was a great book. At first I was confused(I kept thinking, "Ok, he's been kicked out of school so why is he still there?"). But later as I read more it all became clear. I started to be able to relate to Holden. I thought, "Wow this guy is me in a nutshell." He's sarcastic, and overall not likeable. He can sniff out a phony before they even open their mouth. I had to read this for my tenth grade English class. At first I was not looking forward to reading this(hey it's summer why should I have school work?) but as I got into I couldn't stop reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: Another one of those rebellious teens here ;)
Review: Well I'm a teenager and I can be disgruntled and irritatingattimes, so since a lot of you are so interested in our thoughts, letme tell you a few of mine: I don't like homework. I think it s**ks. You ever get a real long homework assignment when all you want to do is go get drunk somewhere? Another thing I hate is the winter. The winter s**ks. It makes me sad and depressed. It really does. No kidding. If you really want to know. For chrissakes I hate people who wear really old shoes with holes in them and all, and they wear them down to the sock because they can't afford to go and buy new ones. Those people are crazy.There, now give me the Pulitzer Prize! ;)
Rating:
Summary: This book changed my LIFE!!
Review: Well, actually, no it didn't, but I wanted you to read my review...I really did. Ha ha. I love this book. The character of Holden is so alive on these pages that I feel like I know the guy after reading this book. Sure, some people may not think that Jane Gallegher keeping all of her kings on the back row is interesting reading, but that does not go for this little black duck. I enjoyed every detail and every nuance that made this book a real classic. Holden's dislike for phonies is what drives him to become such a messed up kid. Haunted by thoughts of his dead brother, Allie, he sometimes think that he is really crazy. But inspired by his little sister, Phoebe, he finds a reason to give life at home another shot. Don't forget about the S.O.B. Maurice and his little female friend...Ha ha. Anywho...I really thought this book was good, I really did. You have to be in a mood to read this book, you really do. If you are not in a mood to read this book then you shouldn't read it. You really shouldn't. Just kidding. That is how the book goes. It gives the book a flavor that you may have never experienced before. Read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite what I expected
Review: Well, first off, when I heard we had to read this book for my English class I wasn't too happy. I'm not much of a reader of anything not Sci-Fi or Tolkien, so when I started reading and 'as hell' or 'phony' popped up every few sentences I wasn't impressed. BUT, I kept at it because of the sheer fact it was required. So, after about an hour of reading and 6 chapters to go I was ready to die. It was just a bunch of words on paper driving me nuts. Once I finally finished I sat there thinking and realized that even though there were 23 chapters worth of nothing to me, I got this weird feeling that I had learned something out of the other two chapter that made sense. If I hadn't endured the 23 chapters which meant nothing to me, the other two chapters worth of writing and ideas wouldn't have sunken in as deeply.
I don't expect many to have the same opinion or feeling I do because I am not much like anyone else but I do recommend this to anyone who has strayed from their path, needs help finding one, or just need to see what all the commotion is about.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, if you can stomach it
Review: Well, I had to read this book for English, and it was a mixed experience. First, for the bad. One of the most annoying parts is the language. Maybe it's because I'm a modern teen, but the language was so annoying, it made me want to stop reading. I mean, he keeps calling everything crumby, and calls everyone a phony. I realize I do the same thing with different words, but it's really annoying reading them. The second and last bad thing is how depressing it is. Again, maybe its because im 14, but he says everything "annoyed the (censored) out of him". I mean, every little thing annoys and depresses him. And then there's some weird stuff at the end. These 2 things made me really want to stop reading, but I'm glad I finished. Besides those bad things, the rest of the book is really good. Its narrarated in a very unique, and strangely pleasing way. The author manages to ctach your interest in even the littlest things, and there are some really good parts. Overall this was an incredible book, but you need to be able to stomach some annoying language, and many depressing scenes.
Rating:
Summary: In short...
Review: WELL, I STARTED READING TYHIS BOOK CAUSE OF ALL THE HYPE OVER IT... AND PLUS I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ABOUT SOME DISENCHANTED TEEN, AND SO THE BOOK SOUNDED PERFECT FOR ME. I STARTED READING IT...AND YA, THE FIRST COUPLE OF PAGES WERE GOOD...THEN I READ SOME MORE. I STARTED WONDERING IF I HAD ALREADY READ IT, I MEAN IT'S SO DAMN PREDICTABLE CAUSE NOTHING HAPPENS, SERIOUSLY. I MEAN READ IT FOR YOURSELF, CAUSE THIS IS JUST MY OPINION...BUT TALK ABOUT A WASTE OF TREES! THE MAIN CHARACTER, HOLDEN, KEPT REPEATING HIMSELF, AND REPEATING HIMSELF...LOL. THIS SI-IiT BELONGS ON READING RAINBOW FOR GOD SAKES. THE SWEARING DIDNT BOTHER ME AT ALL...CAUSE A LOT OF TEENS SWEAR MORE THAN HOLDEN...INCLUDING ME. BUT IM REALLY ANGRY AT HOW THIS IS HOW ADULTS THINK WE TEENS ARE LIKE NOWADAYS...IT WAS PROBABLY GOOD IN THE 1940'S .... WELL WELCOME TO THE MILLENIUM LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... i mean, I deserve a PULITZER just for his review, compared to 'catcher'. here's a synopsis of the story: Holden Caulfield: Angst angst angst swear curse swear crazy crazy angst swear curse, society sucks... THE END
|
