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Summary: Catcher in the Rye
Review: I read this book because I heard that it was a classic. After reading it I can tell you that I thought it was a complete waste of time. I feel sorry for anyone who can "relate" to Holden Caulfield. I found him to be a pathetic, imature malcontent who has squandered his opportunities and advantages. I kept reading and hoping that he was going to change his attitude but it never really happened.I consider this "classic" to be highly over-rated.
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Summary: teenagers unite!
Review: i read this book because of the acclaim it received from my fellow teen readers, the only critics whose reviews i will acknowledge. they said that i would be able to relate to Holden, and that his cyncism and bitterness would be familiar to me. from this description, i expected an intelligent, profound, thoughtful character who was misunderstood by the rest of the world, and frustrated by the lack of understanding he was getting from those around him. holden did not fit this description-actually i did not find him to be intelligent at all. but i think what makes the book so amusing and thought-provoking IS holden's immaturity. the reader is not threatened by him, since his character has a humorous pretentious quality that is endearing and not bothersome. the book didn't cause any deep questions and about the meaning of life to arise, but instead provided a succint, comical, and thoughtful celebration of teenage existence and the thought process of the undeveloped mind.
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Summary: Uhhhh.....
Review: I read this book during an illness... and I'm only 12 years old so I wouldn't have a very good opinion about this book. I honestly think that this book was not based on the thoughts of a regular teen. Now I am not an average 12 year old.. I take education a little to seriously, but not all teens get kicked out of school( there ALL not THAT "dumb" ), smoke(at that age and year ), etc. I don't think this is a very good reprsentation of a "normal teen". Holden Caulfield was a very peculiar character. The whole story itself was weird. The book just ended with him deciding to stay home. Maybe it's because I'm young but I didn't really like it .
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Summary: College in all of its Glory
Review: I read this book during high school and thought that it was one of the worst books ever, but I later revisited it in college and it speaks the most truth. It is a book that is easily related to, the characters are very engaging and you tend to become a very crucial third party to the story itself. Recommended for all of you who need to look back at the world in a very different way.
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Summary: Too bad this great book has a bad rep.
Review: I read this book expecting it to be the best novel I've ever read; I can say that I was left with nothing more desired than what I recieved. This book is ideal for anyone who can analyze what they are reading. People who believe the book is dangerous should really just be asking for an explanation of the books meaning; something along the line of "HOLDEN IS NOT A ROLE-MODEL!!! LEARN FROM HIM, DON'T IMITATE HIM!!!"
If you teach this book, or recommend it to someone who may get the wrong idea you should explain those important things.
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Summary: A book you cannot get out of your head
Review: I read this book for a college class and thought it was only okay. The writing style is nothing to get excited about. This is not one of those thrilling books you cannot put down. Instead it is a story which introduces a character who is hard to forget. Two weeks after I finished reading the book, I kept thinking about Holden. I wanted to know what motivated him. I kept wondering at the deeper issues he faces. If you are looking for a page turner, this may not be the one for you. However, If you want a book whith a realistic character that makes you think, then this is the one for you.
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Summary: If you have not read this book than you have been deprived
Review: I read this book for a school assignment, and was not able to put it down...this book is by far one of the most remarkable books i have ever read. Reading this book was not like reading a book, because it goes by so fast, and sadly enough the books ends before you know it. Throughout the book you will laugh, cry, and not be able to put it down. i could read this book over and over day and night, and still be fascinated by it. If you have not read this book i recomend that you do as soon as possible, because it is not worth passing up.
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Summary: A GREAT READ
Review: I read this book for English class but at first I didn't want to read it. As a teenager, I was really able to relate to Holden. At first I didn't like the book much, because Holden seemed too judgemental, but I discovered why he was like that. And his reasons seemed justified, and he was just reacting to the ugliness of the world. I feel the author did a great job with character development. And wrote from the perspective of a teenager, which Holden was. The only improvement I felt was needed was a new cover. I highly recommend this book for all age groups, especially for teenagers.
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Summary: Waiting for a point
Review: I read this book for English. At first, I was excited at reading such a classic and a famous book. Then, I was very let down. It rambles on and on, with no real point or meaning. There are a lot of unsuitable bits in it including SWEARING, PROSTITUTION, DRUNKENESS, and other things. I have no idea why it is considered such a classic. If you are a human being, or if you are looking for a meaningful book, don't come here.
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Summary: High school junior
Review: I read this book for my AP English class, and I don't see what all the hype is about. Holden's narration thorughout the novel was like 200 pgs of rambling cynicism and skepticism. Grant it, the dialect was very believeable, but the novel lacked a real plot and I found it too be quite monotonous for the most part. The entire novel, in the form of a flashback and filled with many insignificant digressions, was really just an adolescent constantly rambling who is obvious a very emotionally and psychologically disturbed person. I do feel, however, that this book does have some purpose in that there are many teens on the brink of adulthood that need something like this to relate to, and not feel the isolation and alienation that Holden did. Salinger writes very realistically, and depending on the type of person you are, there's a great deal to be taken from this novel.
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