Catcher in the Rye

Rating:
Summary: This book stinks. Or something. I don't know.
Review: I picked up this book because I grew up hearing it's title, which always intrigued me. It is written in the style of a wishy-washy 16-year old, this is the ONLY reason I give this book two stars. Salinger caught the wishy-washiness of a teenager's viewpoint on life PERFECTLY, but this perfect portrayal of a mind without goals is exactly what makes this book a TEDIOUS READ. Caulfield, the main character, cannont commit to one sentence throughout the entire book without backing out of it a sentence later, with a "or something," or a, "if you want to know the truth," or another dated late 1940's cliche'. I dropped this book, and picked up Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which was written 220 years ago, and IT seemed less dated. Don't read this unless you are a student of 1940's America, and you like terms like "I get a bang out of this," and, of course "That crumby person is a real phoney."

Rating:
Summary: A true classic
Review: I picked up this book because it seemed to be one of those classics you're "supposed" to read, expecting it to be dense and archaic, but it was actually very entertaining. It involves a wealthy prep-school student, Holden Caulfield, searching for something true and genuine in a world that seems to be made out of pretention and "phonies." The stlye is simple and surprisingly blunt (Holden goes out and says "It depressed the hell out of me" several times) but other parts are extremely subtle. With humor and angst (and no overkill on either one), Catcher in the Rye really is one of those books that everyone should read at least once.

Rating:
Summary: This book is VERY overrated
Review: I picked up this book expecting an insight into the adolescent mind (actually it wasn't that long ago since I WAS an adolescent and I wanted to see if the book jibed). It was an insight, all right, insight into the head of the biggest whiner I've ever read (or met, for that matter). All the dopey protagonist did was wander around calling everyone phonies. I just wanted to smack him about the head and tell him to SHUT UP and pull himself up by his bootstraps (actually jockstrap would have been a better course of action). What would be an insightful book is one written about the weirdo/stalkers who have had copies of this overrated tome with them (John Lennon's killer had one so did the guy who killed the actress from tv's "My Sister Sam", etc.) I find it very hard to believe that people wanted this book banned. If anything, it should carry a warning label saying, "WARNING: Extremely insipid book".

Rating:
Summary: not really sure
Review: i purchased this book from a yard sale and havent quite finished it yet , i'm only on page 90 or so and really dont understand what its about maybe i'm crazy or something , but i'll keep going and will come back later for a better review for you and possibly a better opinion of it, however i am glad that i only paid 50 cents for the book as it does not hold my attention for longer than about 1 or 2 chapters at a time thank you

Rating:
Summary: A "can't put down" type book.
Review: I read "Catcher in the Rye" in high school, college and again in my late 20's. I'm due to read it again since I'm 38. I recently bought the paperback for my Godchild's 17th birthday. I was surprised it wasn't on her high school book list. The issues Holden Caulfield must deal with are those most of use experience in one way or another. The book makes you use your head and "think". It will effect your life in some way, unlike the grocery store tabloid type books that John Grisham churns out. When I reread it, I'll visit again and write a more meaningful review since the issues it deals with will be fresh on my mind. Highly recommended

Rating:
Summary: An untouchable book, a must for adolescents
Review: I read "Catcher In The Rye" last year, and I thought it was excellent. J.D Salinger really has a way of telling a story through the eyes of a cynical, sensitive and lost adolescent. Holden Caulfield, the main character, is fascinating as he explains, describes and reflects upon the things in his life. Although the story only spans over a couple of days, by the end you feel you know everything about Holden and his life. Being an adolescent, I identified with Holden a lot, his story was almost too real. "Catcher In The Rye" is full of brilliantly written dialogue and descriptions, it mirrors the thoughts and feelings of adolescents perfectly. A funny, thoughtful and touching masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I read "Catcher" during my sophomore year of high school... it was one of those books they force you to read so you can "become more knowledgeable about the 'real world'." Well, I went home and I read it in one night -- cover to cover. The book was phenomenal. Never have I read a more compelling piece. 4 years later I find myself buying my own copy because of something I realized: as you get older and reread it, you see Holden's life from different perspectives. You grow with him and you learn from him. He changes as you change. Salinger is a credit to his profession as proven in his first (and most successful?) book. Note: I would actually give this book 10 stars because of it's growth potential, but this form only allows 5.

Rating:
Summary: An Point That People Should Know Exists Somewhere
Review: I read "The Catcher in the Rye" and I believe it was a book that was an example of certain troubled teens. Holden was like other teens forced into an uncomfortable position that his mentality was unaccustomed. That' s why he was dismissed from yet another school, there was a part of him that was disturbed. He had different sides to himself, like some people, the side that doesn't care much, the part where he took little notice to leaving the fencing teams foils, or knowing his parents suffered each time he came home as a failure, there was the side that stood out the most, the depressed side where he would get easily depressed when he was caught in a certain situation he'd get depressed, an example, when his brother died, he resorted to smashing all the windows. Many depressed people resort to unthinkable ways when something like that comes up and the reason some people think is they should've known better and they should stop thinking these ideas, but a depressed person can't help their actions sometimes and sometimes seem a little lower to a regular person sometimes. Leaving Pencey is what Holden felt was best, and doing that was good because for Holden to escape where he was crumpled up would have put an anvil on his already troubled mind. That's why he remembers this point of his life so vividly, where he opened up and went through this nervous breakdown that was waiting to come. Through his mishaps with some people such as old Maurice to his viewings as a 'sweet young man' by the two nuns shows his personalities. The one who absently fixes himself into a sorrowful situation to the one that can see a pleasant person who means well. Unfortunately, he is thrown into his mood swing of depression. His nervous breakdown reallyy comes when he gets drunk up to when he cries at the thought of his sister giving him her Christmas money. By then he has reached his point of depressing due to the agony he spent by himself, which is what the novel is about, a young man who remembers so vividly of his suffering which became serious at that point of his life he spent alone. We see hints where most of his hurt comes from. Being alone, several thoughts, and the depression he consistantly feels. At one point his breakdown subsides when he sees his sister enjoying herself, he feels a feeling of joy that replaces any bitterness. Of course, he sees a psyciatrist after all this so the actual problem isn't worked out fully professionally. Holden's continuous pessimistic side of life by referring to his environment around him as 'phony' is one that optimistic people might argue, but we see that child in him; one that wants to see something the way it is supposedly seen, while it's an example that the world itself does't show us what it really is, it paints a serene picture on what it feels it wants to be, then when we're hipnotized into it, it bestows the acttual fact; some don't care about that, others see this and complain. At one point, we see why the book was banned because the f word was announced five times, which I must say is bad in general, but is worse that America would ban the book because of the word. At that time, the world wasn't ready for that word, but it should've realized that this is the world they were living in, and that the book was an example of it. Of course, America didn't want to face the facts, they wanted to shame America from America, which J.D. Salinger unveiled. Mr. Salingner really unveiled America and it took America by surprise. Judging on life itself, the word was probably invented even in the late 1800's but by the time the meaning came around, the word was a shadowy figure, known but never spoken, until it finally shone light. Before I conclude, the story took place sometime in December of 1948 and even though Holden was hesitant to admit he was wrong, we all have the tendency to be that way. In fact, we fail to admit this to. To conclude, I felt some anger towards Holden the first time I read the book, but after awhile, you could see there is some emotional pain to the sixteen-year-old that he has to work out but might not have (a sequel on Holden's progress would fit the cause), and when that is found, sympathy could be given for the kid. What he had could've been, as he related earlier, a phase. I rate the book a three because although the book told a good point of what many might overlook, a great deal it could've unfolded. I'll stop here; I could go on though, but I wanted to talk about the important parts in the book. That's all I have to say.

Rating:
Summary: "The Catcher in the Rye": More Than Simple Reading
Review: I read "The Catcher in the Rye" for pleasure when I was in the seventh grade. Just about to enter my senior year in college, I decided to take another look at Salinger's book. I still remember the effect "The Catcher in the Rye" left upon me when I was in seventh grade, and indeed, years later, the book still has the power of affecting me the same way. Salinger's book is amazing in the sense that it moves you and influences you beyond your evening reading. That is, you find yourself almost tormented by his internal thoughts and may even find, as I have found, a change in your everyday language and internal thoughts. Salinger's book is amazing in the sense that it uses everyday "slang" to produce a true peice of literature. I love how it forces your to think, to analyze, and to be frustrated. That's an amazing power that few books are able to achieve.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and Enlightening
Review: I read Catcher in the Rye as a re-introduction to classic American literature outside of high school reading requirements. The first few chapter were surprisingly funny but then it gives the reader an insite into how a depression affects a person. Holden had everything, good parents, great schools and money at his disposal but it couldn't keep him from being depressed and isolated from society. Definately read this book!