Rating: Summary: A Classic that Everyone Should Read Review: When I was in 9th Grade my English teacher made me give a report on this book. Thinking that it might be a bit shallow, I still read it. I absolutely enjoyed the twist of things in the novel. Catcher in the Rye is a most read for people of all ages.
Rating: Summary: Moving through a young mind into into life Review: When I went to college, with these aspirations for becoming an engineer, I ran into inner conflicts, making me feel confused and depressed. Somehow instinctively, I turned to Holden and a book that I had read several years earlier, but that had not made a significant impression then. Reading the novel again, it perhaps made me more desolate than I was before, and I dropped out of school a few months later. SOme might say that the book, then, had a negative impact on me. One less engineer in the world. One less go-getter. But through the contemplation I did in the months after leaving college, and the inspiring example of an English teacher I had at my local community college, I was able to find the true direction of my spirit. I had to make my life into something that I truly saw as meaningful. I couldn't settle into a career that would not fulfill my desires. I'm writing this review from my teacher's desk at school in my classroom. I'm an English teacher. I've found my calling. And although I can't entirely say it was Catcher in the Rye that pointed the way for me, the provocations of thought and emotion that this poignant little novel provided me had a definite impact. For those of you reading through the reviews here on Amazon and noting the great dichotomy of love and hate for this book, note that all great works of art have such an effect. Division is often the result of a work such as this. And I must say, no one should be forced to read this novel in school. It goes against the nature of the novel for us to cannonize Catcher and feed it to our youth as some sort of hallowed treatise on individualism and our flawed American society. Bleh! Leave it to be picked up by the curious and the lonely. Let it find its own audience.
Rating: Summary: Innocence transforms experience, not vice versa Review: When my friend read this book, she said she wanted nothing more than to slap Holden. I didn't. I wanted to marry him (which I subsequently did, but that's another story). What I loved most about Holden was his elemental uncorruptibility, a fundamental innocence that could not be lost through experience. Instead, the power of his innocence shaped all of his experiences, transforming even his mistakes into acts of courage, idealism and beauty.
Rating: Summary: Not bad at all Review: When my teacher first mentioned that we were going to be reading 'Catcher in the Rye', I thought it was going to be an extremely boring book that would take hours to read because it was so boring. Boy, was I wrong. I had to read this book for sophomore english class and I think it is a good book. It is about a teenager who is struggling to enter adulthood. He constantly wants to save the innocent children from entering the exprienced world of adulthood. Although, in order to enjoy the book you have to look for the hidden messages of this 'child-adult' theme, which J.D. Salinger did a great job using different items as symbols. Yet, although it is a great book, there is some foul language (but not extremely offensive words). Yet, Holden Caulfield (the main character) has to use them to build up his character and portray part of the theme. I did not really like how the book ended, but once you understand the world of innocence/experience, it makes a lot more sense. It is a great read, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a book in 2 hours. I could barely put it down because it was so easy to get hooked on.
Rating: Summary: The Catcher in the Rye Review: When one reads The Catcher in the Rye, they must learn to live life in Holden's shoes. Experiencing the book from a 1st person narrative is one of the most enjoyable parts. That way if Holden's intense psychological pain becomes unbearable, one will be able to step back and watch from outside the box. Holden and Salinger set a standard for character, realism, perspective, and style back in 1946. In fact it might be the most influential book in the post-war era, in my opinion. Holden's point of view is troubling due to the fact that such trivial things, like as the phonyness of people, disturb him. If these things don't really matter, then what is Holden running away from? All these questions and more are ultimately realized if one is to approach the book with an open mind. This is personally my favorite book I've read so far in my life. It answers the really interesting questions about life, love, and identity. I highly suggest it is read and studied by any lover of humanity and existence.
Rating: Summary: A must for every adolescent of the world Review: When read by a kid it gives him the power to imagine about his future; when read by an adolescent it is cent percent identifiable with his surrounding world; when read by an adult it actually makes him guffaw at his own funny doings of the past. The Catcher in the Rye is probably the only book in English Literature that appeals absolutely to all age groups. Even readers, especially teenagers, in India, as far as I have observed were overwhelmed to read a book that gave them the confidence to believe in themselves; to believe that they are not the only people in the world having a totally isolated sphere of their own; Salinger has very aptly exposed the sentiment and emotions of an American youth in whom Indian teenagers have found a friend. I feel that it is one book not worth missing to read.
Rating: Summary: Superb! Review: When Salinger wrote "Catcher," he created one of the most well developed characters ever written. Holden Caulfield is funny, likeable, vulnerable, and interesting. I find it so easy to relate to Holden as do many of my friends. The Catcher in the Rye is a beautiful novel about the difficulties of growing up.
Rating: Summary: It's a wonder people continue to write... Review: when the perfect book has already been written.I'm talking about Harry Potter, of course. No, I'm talking about The Catcher in the Rye- a story of an adolescent who has a few days to spend on his own in New York City and uses it to explore- as corny as it sounds- himself, the world, life, and the people around him. Salinger is an unbelievably amazingly incredible writer and it's a shame only a handful of 'customers' bothered to comment on this masterpiece- and it's shocking that its average rating is not as high as possible. It certainly is not boring at times (though you have the right to your opinion) in any way, and four out of six stars is ridiculous. Show me a better book, man. (Shakes head)
Rating: Summary: this is a "stupid" book. Review: When the teacher told us that we were going to read this book, I knew it was going to be BORING. This is a stupid book, that talks about a "phony" guy.he only people that liked this novel were killers, rapists, and other unkind people. I Think this book gives you feelings of death and insecurity. This guy is so stupid, because he thought his teacher was gay, when he only wanted to pretend he was his son. Also when he fought with Stradlater-his roommate-, if he was stronger, and he knew he was going to kick his butt, why did he fight with him?. I think that he is a spoiled child, because he called a prostitute and then he only talk with her. In a few words, this is a book without sense for me or for everyone that is a normal person.
Rating: Summary: Generic title. Review: When things take on the label of classic they tend to fall under heavy scrutiny and skeptical viewing. This is no exception. I'd known the title through book references and what not but it was not until a friend of mine took great displeasure in reading it and voiced his displeasure for the book that I grew somewhat interested. I read the first 20 pages or so through the amazon book previewer and what I read blew me away even with the warning that it was not an enjoyable book. But I figured it had to get boring or perverse as it progressed so I didn't think much of it for some time. After hearing numerous students around school voicing their extreme displeasure with the book and its main character I grew intrigued once again. How could a book that was so good get so many poor opinions from my classmates? With this new curiosity I re-read the short preview and still found it as entertaining as ever, so I made it a point to track down a copy. I finished it in 1 day and a half of reading, which translates to roughly 4 or 5 hours of total reading whenever I had time. And even once while reading did I even have someone interrupt me from reading it and comment about how he was displeased with the book because of "its Whole Kurt Cobain "Life sucks" philosophy", but at that point I was already pages away from finishing and loved it, so opinions didn't even register feelings of doubt in my mind. Over all this book is, even in spite of all the negative opinions that may have tainted my opinion in the beginning, one of my top five favorite books of all time. Its cheep, its considered a classic (but than again allot of awful books are so don't go on that fact), and its without a doubt one of the most entertaining books you will ever read.
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