Rating: 
Summary: I really liked this one, if you want to know the truth :)
Review: I just finished reading this book, an excellent work in my opinoin. I am going to be a freshman in college, and so for me, this book really dealt with a lot of issues I am pondering. I loved the discussions of fake or "phony" people, because, like Holden, phony people or people that do phony things really get to me. Also, I really liked reading about Holden's thoughts of not knowing what he wanted to do and not understanding the point of silly classes in school. The book really related to me, and while I do know a few people that didn't enjoy it, I think that in most cases, this is a book that will be cherished and remembered.
Rating:
Summary: CR not a subversive book
Review: I just finished the book for about the fifth time. Most reading this will know the story of Holden Cauldfield and his little oddysey during the Christmas season of 1949. I first had this book assigned to me by a young lit teacher when I was about Holden's age. It was my first really serious, critical book report. What I liked about it at the time was its brevity but I did get a good grade on the report which was held up to the class as the standard for such an endeavor. It was only during my second reading about ten years later that it occured to me why that teacher had chosen me to report on Catcher in the Rye. I feel that many read far too much into the story and how it is told. When it came out in 1951 it was not just controversial, it was considered downright subversive and banned in many places. Today one can only assume that the four times the F-word is used in the original version was the impetus for such a reaction. Actually, it is just the story of an intelligent and insightful but troubled teenage boy for whom the pressures of looming adulthood and the recent death of a sibling are too much to bare, leading to a breakdown and the catharsis of this telling. Sure he is critical of others and of life but he never spares himself in his criticism. Yes, we can assume that he has in him some of the phoniness that he so vehemently decries. "Let he who is . . . ." However, through Holden Cauldfield we can see through so much of the unreality of everday human experience and interaction. He is not a hero or a fool or a phoney. He is just a guy that needed a little time out and felt also a need to share with us in an incredibly humorous and entertaining way what he was going through at the time. It always makes me smile, it really does. I'm awfully succeptible to that type of thing, I can tell you that right now.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific x 2
Review: I just finished The Catcher in the Rye for the second time in my life, and this time (when I am 20 years old), I feel like I finally understand why it is such a popular book. When I was younger, I loved the book but was too caught up by the foul language, prostitues, and poor manners of most of the characters (if those bother you, it is not a good book for you), but now that I am a bit desensitized by those aspects of the book, I understand how well Salinger captures the alienation of teenagers. I found myself relating to Holden Caufield, his cynicism, frustration with the world in which he is stuck, and the desire just to leave everything behind because certainly the grass is greener on the other side. Everyone can relate to this if they allow themselves to remember just how topsy turvy-adolescense can be. The story itself has many incredible moments and some excellent characters, but I will admit that it slows down occasionally and sometimes does not flow well, but I am willing to accept those aspects of the book because they help remind the reader of Holden's alienation and the story remains incredibly enriching and still causes a healthy does of self-reflection. I liked this book a lot and will assure any teen or someone who wants to reminisce about their youth, that it is a terrific book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Shattered All My Preconceived Notions
Review: I just finished this book, and I couldn't believe how awesome it was. All I heard about this book was all the controversy about how people were trying to ban it from schools and all; and so since it was a book in schools, I figured it'd be all boring & stuffy a la 'Moby Dick' or 'Fathers and Sons'.Boy, was I wrong! I couldn't believe how quickly this book read, but beware because it's chock full of cynicism which can get on your nerves after awhile. But thankfully, it's very short and right about the time I started to get sick of all the bitterness, I reached the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Entirely overrated
Review: I just momentarily finished reading "Catcher in the Rye" and hated every part of it. In my opinion Holden Caufield represents the stereotypical teen-age preppie that has no idea what he wants out of life. Many argue that he is the epitome of teen age angst but I wonder how many teenagers actually wander aimlessly around NY for 3 days because they're fed up with the world. I'm 15 years old and I found Holden to be nothing more than a spoiled brat who thinks of nothing but himself and how the world has dissapointed him. It seems that Pheobe had more sense and direction than her older brother who was supposed to be her role model. I don't understand why everyone calls this book a "modern classic". Throughout the book I hoped that there would be some unifying concept at the end that would at least give some illusion of a plot or purpose. I was completely disapointed when the novel ended without any conclusion or resolution. If anyone thinks that I am completely misguided in my opinion, please email me and explain to me why this is such a wonderful book. I'd really like to understand why everyone loves this novel so much.
Rating:
Summary: A Salinger fan defends
Review: I just read a bunch of other reviews talking about how boring this book is, and how it's just full of complaining, has no plot, etc. To me, that is the beauty of this book. I can read it over and over and still love it because my attraction to it isn't based on "what's going to happen next," which wouldn't really encourage multiple readings. After reading every word Salinger has written, I just sit back and revel his genius. He has created a character who is almost a real person, with miles of background to his life and every thought leading to another. I often go for the great plot-twist too, but maybe I'm strange in that I prefer a different style; I would take something that I can understand and connect with that moves me with its honesty over an exciting suspense-type story anyday. This is the sort of thing that lingers over time because there is so much more beneath it.
Rating:
Summary: Love
Review: I just read this book (infact its sitting right here) I loved it even though I'm only 15 Im writing to you. I have to do a bookreport and its so easy to do, I say you should read this book its so good!!
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Summary: this book killed me
Review: I just read this book. As hero of the book Holden Caulfield says, this book killed me. I mean I liked it a lot. I remebered my own teenage years, similar blues. "Phony" people, as Holden says, and a hat like him to protect myself, and all this problems that one faces when s/he grows up. When you first start to read this book it gets you immediately, you like every page of it, every sentence. It is true that writer is not like Dostoyevsky. But in a sense he is like Dosto. Compared to Dosto, the book never becomes boring, it is a short novel, rather in my opinion it is a long story.
Rating:
Summary: A timeless novel for the teen struggle
Review: I just recently read The Catcher in the Rye after reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac. Both these books in my opinion are not for the typical mainstream human being.They show how life should be lead and not how someone tells you to lead it. Both, especially Catcher in the Rye, go against the grain and tell of real life situations.They talk about things like depression and drug abuse which a lot of the teens deal with today.Even though Catcher is sometimes read in school it is not the typical high school english book.it goes against all principals and morals and deals with reality, which many americans choose not to deal with.When it dealt with Holden being bullied by his roomate I related with it because I've never fought back and I guess I'm just a wimp just like Holden. For all the people who felt it wasn't incisive enough and it was just an overall boring book should stick to John Grisham books.people who don't understand it are those people who try to ban it. if morality is the question, than thats bogus because nobodies perfect. Those who think they are,are probably closet pedophiles anyway.It is a must read for those who know themselves and who are not influenced by the majority.
Rating:
Summary: Most beloved novel of the 20th century.
Review: I just reread this for about the 12th time (I'm 47) and was reminded of just how importantant this book was to me when I was growing up. The first time I read this book, when I was about 13, I was amazed that there was someone else in the world that thought like I did. It let me know that I was not alone and I was not a weirdo. My favorite book of all time and my choice for best novel of the 20th century.
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