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Summary: Holding On Holden
Review: I always felt that J. D. Salinger was Holden Caulfield. In reading Catcher in the Rye we get a glimpse of J. D. Salinger through Holden's eyes and mouth and what he thought of the world in general. Holden's description is so vivid that I sometimes found myself in that exact moment in whichever place he happened to be. I could hear him in my head, but at the same time I'm not so sure that he and I could be friends, as I had learned long ago to expand my own vision and expectations on the real world. Yet I hold Holden Caulfield dear to my heart for honestly there have been thoughts that have reflected some of my past. Perhaps if I found a bit of Holden and some better realism in a man I would find the perfect Mr. Right...
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Summary: Still relevant, still hilarious
Review: I always passed over this book because I thought it would be dry - one of those old classics they force kids to read in school. It turned out to be one of the best books I've read this year. Laugh-out-loud funny in several places. It was written sixty years ago but the quality of the observations and satire hasn't faded. It's a quick read but it's so full of endearing characters, amusing situations and snarky comments that it's a shame when it ends. Highly recommended.
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Summary: not a great book
Review: I am 12 years old and i started to read this book and found it not to be very good. It has about ten curse words on every page and i don't think it should. It also has a bunch of other stuff that younger kids should not read. Over all i found this a bad book and pretty boring too.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay
Review: I am 12 years old, and I read "Catcher in the Rye," while flying Boston-Germany. I liked the general idea of the book, but I thought Holden Caulfield was very negative towards life. He always seemed to be finding the negative of people, yet I could find instances where he seemed very nice. A lot of the language in this book was 'inappropraite,' but I felt that helped convey Holden's confused, almost angry attitude towards all the "phonies" in life. He at times seems vulnerable, and at other times seems like a "rough and tough" high school student. I think maybe I should have read this when I was 14 or 15, just to get a clearer idea of what he was actually going through. I liked the book anyway, though. 4 stars!
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Summary: Catcher in the Rye
Review: I am 15 yrs old, I read this book and found it very interesting. Holden is abnormal, but that is what makes it interesting, It is a great criticism of society. For all those people who don't like how things go for the upper class. GREAT BOOK.
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Summary: Why did I wait so long!?!?!
Review: I am 28 years old. I read A LOT of books. Probablyy one a week, if you want to know the truth. But I hate reading things that one is "supposed" to read. As such, I have missed out on this gem for too many years. Isn't that ironical. I think I shall go read it again now, if I am in the mood.Stop reading reviews... We have nothing to say.. JUST READ THE BOOK!
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Summary: best book i have EVER read
Review: I am a 16 year old male, so i can certainly identify with the main character's thoughts, feelings, and uncertainties towards life. If you are a teen reading this, here is a message: YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. its got everything. Prostitutes, Profanity, Drinking, and much much more. This is the story about Holden, who has just been kicked out of his school, and spends a couple of nights and days in the great city of New York. He goes through alot of things, that seem very credible, but the book, the way he describes what he's going through and his bitterly sarcastic outlook on life keep you entertained the whole way through. You cant read a paragraph without reading at least 2 profanities, so if you cant handle it dont even bother. And i cant believe it was written at least 50 years ago. Most of the language and dialect he uses is just as modern as it is today. He can always find something about a character to make fun of or gripe about- and you'll find that within the first chapter. Give this book a read- its GREAT. if you are an older teen like me, it will become the most treasured book in your collection.
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Summary: A feat so rare......
Review: I am a 24 year old writer and a very big fan of all of Salinger's writings. I have read many of the comments on this page, and although I am glad to see so many 5 stars, I must say I am quite disappointed in some of the book's reviewers. Simply put, no, not everyone could relate to Holden, and it is not a necessity that one should even like him, but this cannot be ignored: Salinger has created a timeless work of art that very few artists ever achieve in their lives. Salinger has accomplished a very rare feat - he has, unwillingly, become the spokesperson for a generation. When one looks back, how many artists, whether writers, musicians, or painters have accomplished this feat? These "special" artists come along perhaps once every decade or so. In the 90's, this "special" artist has probably been Kurt Cobain - and no one else. That is how rare these accomplishments come about, and so whether you like it or not, Salinger's The Catcher must be treated ! in this regard.
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Summary: If this is adolescence, I'm glad I missed it.
Review: I am a college teacher (math), and every term I give my new students a questionnaire. Among the questions I often ask is "Name one book, movie, TV show, or piece of music as your all time favorite, and explain why." "Catcher in the Rye" has been cited more often than any other book, and I finally decided to find out why. I'm STILL trying to find out why. If my students relate to this book, then they are more bitter and loutish than they appear to be in my classes and out-of-class conversations. I regret that those who attack the book have often done so on the grounds of its vulgarity. That just devalues their argument. The fact is that the book is lousy because it portrays as a hero a teenage kid who is nothing but a bitter, maladjusted punk. He interprets courtesy as phoniness, and in fact assumes that anyone who doesn't immediately give him whatever he feels like having must be cruel, or a phony, or just generally subhuman. This kid is supposed to be teaching us something about life? About adolescence? He's learning about himself? He has no interest in any of that - he's interested only in what other people can do for him. He is sensitive to nothing but his own feelings. If you liked the movie "Five Easy Pieces" - another portrayal of an "alienated" and oh-so-sensitive lout which caused the critics to cream their jeans - then you'd probably like "Catcher in the Rye". The world is full of bitterly unhappy people who confuse cynicism and hostility toward the world with artistic sensitivity. Many of them write reviews of books and movies, as they have done here. But avoid such people. They live lives of misery, and spread the misery around so they don't have to be alone in their hatred of the world. And "Catcher in the Rye" is their favorite book.
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Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I am a devout reader and usually quite picky with my selections, but I was amazed with this book. I had heard of it for a while, yet like Salinger wanted, the title never really drew my attention. After being required to read it for school this year, I am currently reading it for the second time, and plan to several more. The first page alone grabs the reader making it impossible to put down. Salinger's unique style allows you to feel as if he is speaking to you directly throughout the novel. I could definitly relate and identify with the book as well. Being a seventeen year old girl, I face bouts with depression and so on,too. I would definitely reccommend this to anyone, especially young adults.Don't think of it as just another stupid book you have to read for school.Even the slackers who hate reading love this one! To enhance the reading experience, listen to Radiohead OK Computer at the same time!
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