Rating: 
Summary: Doing this for a class
Review: I read Catcher in the Rye at the end of the last academic school year in my english class my senior year. The novel was a good piece of literature. There was language that was harsh in it and my teacher warned us about that before we started, but the value of the novel as a historical piece was great and more students should be made to read it. The symbolism was incrediable and I enjoyed J.D. Salinger's style of writing. I honestly dont remember as much of the novel as I would like, but I remember that it was a good piece of literature and I would recommend it to any avid reader.
Rating: 
Summary: Deserves a 2.5 -it is not as terrible as some say
Review: I read Catcher in the Rye for my AP English Composition course's required reading. It is misleading to stereotype this novel as "teenage angst summarized," because, frankly, I could rarely identify with Holden's experiences, though many of his feelings could have been more poignant had they been written in more lucid prose. There were parts of the novel that moved me, and by the end of the book I was NOT praising it as a literary masterpiece, but I knew that Holden's psychology had been brilliantly developed through Salinger's writing, or depiction of 1949 adolescent slang. I frequently could not relate to Holden's point-of-view, much less his undertakings. His character was so different from mine, yet I appreciated it because there were some basic deep-rooted reasons for the way he acted throughout the book that justify his anger [Allie, James Castle]. He is not a deplorable character, as some have said, instead he frequently obtained my sympathy. Everyone keeps mentioning the episode with the prostitute, in which nothing really occurs. He does not act as a perverted teenager in search of sexual satisfaction at all, do you not remember the outcome of this subplot? The "sex," drinking, smoking, and excessive swearing can be overlooked if one is trying to comprehend where Holden is coming from, since these factors are not meant to encourage or praise these habits, but to illustrate Holden sincerely. I do not know if I would ever recommend this book. While some parts are truly human and affecting [Allie, Phoebe, James Catle, Mr. Antonili] most of it is just Holden telling you his story, which involves many glimpses into his mindset. What really made me keep reading were the other characters in the book and the original way in which Holden described them. It is not a bad book, but it is definitely overrated. If you're curious about it, check it out from the library. And if you read the review of the guy recommending Atlas Shrugged by Aynd Rand--do yourself a favor, don't buy that TRASH of stock characters and propaganda.
Rating: 
Summary: The Truth
Review: I read Catcher in the Rye only a week ago. I read it on my own time, because it was recommended to me by a friend. I, being a 15year old boy, can relate to this book. His thoughts on people's actions, his little pet-peeves, and even his views on women and liquor are quite similar to mine. If you are interested in the mind of a teenage boy, than read this. If not, read it anyway, it's good material.
Rating:
Summary: seek and thou shall find
Review: I read catcher in the rye quite a while ago and i thought it was one of the most powerful stories ever written. it is powerful in that it doesn't have too mcuh ups and downs, tragidies and comedies, screaming, slapping, guns, blood, murder and all those that would be considered"dramatic". catcher is, quoting a friend, like burmuda triangles. on the surface it is calm and dull, and everyday, but underneath, if you look hard enough, you'll feel the overwhelming undercurrent that will wrap you and engulf you.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't believe the hype
Review: I read Catcher in the Rye when i was in my early 20s and found it disappointing given the fact that English teachers and others had called it a "Classic." Perhaps we should all guard the term "Classic" more carefully.Yes, Salinger explores teen angst. Yes, Holden Caulfield has some universal connection because of the angst. Yes, he addresses phoniness in the world. But those things alone don't make a classic. One reviewer at this site mentioned the fact that there really is no plot, and she is right. If most of us knew Holden Caulfield and were subject to his ranting we would certainly dismiss him and not consider him a classic. I normally finish every book i read, but i got exaclty into the middle of he book and put it awaay for good. If Catcher in the Rye is a classic, then we've lost the ability to distinguish something that is truly classic, like say To Kill A Mockingbird", from a mediocre novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: I read Catcher in the Rye while in college. I'd heard many allusions to the book, and many people said they liked it, yet I didn't really know what it was about. It is fascinating, a true inspiration. Holden is so complex that you can't stop thinking about him when you're not reading. Salinger's amazing insights into human nature and his clever style of cynicism is unique to much of literature and better than all contemporary literature. As Holden starts to spiral down, you can't help but feel incredibly sad thinking about his situation. A boy, on the brink of breakdown, speaking of things that make so much sense. It makes you wonder if he's the one going crazy or if it's the way society is that is truly crazy. I will always love this book and I plan on going over it again to underline all the lines that I adored. For the people giving bad reviews, and as I've analyzed their comments, I must say that you missed the boat. I'm sure that you are the people that Holden is making his social critiques on. No symbolism, a boring character that is whining? Come again? Salinger's phrasing of his words is simplistic, but his message is not. Read it again, try and be more perceptive, and think harder about what is really being said. There is enlightenment waiting for you.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: I read Catcher in the Rye while on break from school. I'd heard many allusions to the book, and many people said they liked it, yet I didn't really know what it was about. It is fascinating, a true inspiration. Holden is so complex that you can't stop thinking about him when you're not reading. Salinger's amazing insights into human nature and his clever style of cynicism is unique to much of literature and better than all contemporary literature. As Holden starts to spiral down, you can't help but feel incredibly sad thinking about his situation. A boy, on the brink of breakdown, speaking of things that make so much sense. It makes you wonder if he's the one going crazy or if it's the way society is that is truly crazy. I will always love this book and I plan on going over it again to underline all the lines that I adored. For the people giving bad reviews, and as I've analyzed their comments, I must say that you missed the boat. I'm sure that you are the people that Holden is making his social critiques on. No symbolism, a boring character that is whining? Come again? Salinger's phrasing of his words is simplistic, but his message is not. Read it again, try and be more perceptive, and think harder about what is really being said. There is enlightenment waiting for you.
Rating:
Summary: Over-hyped, and yes i've read it more than once.
Review: I read it in high school, didn't do anything for me. Reread it recently cuz everyone says it's awesome. And I'm disappointed. Guess what, we're all phonies according to Holden, and that's because we aren't Allie, Phoebe, or under ten years old.
Rating:
Summary: The Absolutely Essential American Novel
Review: I read TCITR every 4th of July. I have since I was 17 years old, and that was 25 years ago. I can't imagine a more patriotic actiivity. Rock on, J.D., wherever you are.
Rating:
Summary: Universal Human Values
Review: I read the "Catcher in the Rye" a number of times while I was living in Romania: first an excellent translation, later the original.
It is less important to me that the book is perfect: absolutely every sentence is perfectly balanced independently and with the rest of the book.
What's amazing is that it seems to bring up some universal human values that were there in post-war US in the 50s, in communist Romania in the 80s, in information age Canada in the 90s, and probably a lot of other times and places.
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