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Summary: A high school teacher's dream
Review: This book is a classic, and for many reasons. I loved it when I read it in high school (not for a class), and I love it even more now that I've taught it in high school English. Students love it because of the narrative voice and the content, and they don't realize they are reading a classic of American fiction. I've gotten some great essays and test scores from this book; proof that this book can engage even the most reluctant readers into reading literature. And the discussion possibilities are endless: I learn something new every time I moderate class discussions. The kids take over, and I only have to prompt them to dig a little deeper into the meaning to find a gem of an insight. If you read it as a teen, re-read it and enjoy! Share it with a friend, read it for book club, teach it; do not miss out on this book.
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Summary: Extremely Depressing
Review: Okay, some day when I'm old and gray, maybe I will get why this book is an all-time master peice. (I doubt it! But I might.) I seriously disliked this book. I know what you are thinking, "what about the symbolism?" What about it? I did catch the under lying things in the book. Like for starters, what "The Catcher in the Rye" means. Holden was so feed up with people dying, that he wished that he could wait by the edge of a cliff, and when a kid comes running out of a rye feild, Hoden would "swoop down" out of nowhere and catch the kids. To me this book seemed entirly too whinny and used too much compulsive slang. "Crumby" and "Phoney" were seriously over used to the point that it made you sick in the stomach. I'm not denying that it was a humourous book at times it was just too "loose".(The topic swayed from thought to thought). But it did make me laugh sometimes, I'll give it that. But I just don't understand why people think it so great.
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Summary: Book Review on Catcher in the Rye
Review: The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, gives a four day look at a boy who feels he is being oppressed by the world and what it contains. Holden, the main character, is a boy who is struggling with life and what it holds. He often expresses his confusion and loneliness throughout the story, which many teens can look back on and relate Holden to themselves. Holden feels that the world is full of confusion and full of a bunch of "phonies". One can relate to his loneliness. He feels that no one will talk to him and comfort him. He is trying, throughout the story, to be around people and carry on a conversation, but it seems like no one will listen or care what he has to say. He wants to escape the world and run away. It is a four day story that one can relate times of confusion and loneliness, throughout their own lives, to.
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Summary: the brilliance of what?
Review: Am I the only teenager in the world who found Holden Caulfield (as in Salinger's Catcher In the Rye) whiny, creepy, and not particularly someone to identify with? It's supposed to be like, the book in which all teenagers can see themselves or whatever, but I don't know who came up with that idea.He's a sixteen-year-old with the lifestyle of a twenty-six-year-old, thinking and behaving like an immature twelve-year-old. Yeah, he makes the occasional intelligent comment, but the book doesn't even have a plot, okay? After a while, I got tired of the repetitive slang; the way Holden implored the reader to have sympathy for him, but not too much, because he can't handle that; and of course, the episodes that pass for a plot: In Which Holden Blows Off a "Friend", In Which Holden Has Issues With a Girl, In Which Holden Contemplates His Family Situation. What I see in it is a kid who has trouble relating to people and who avoids reality. He's obsessed with sex and drinking and various types of girls. He needs to find someone who he can, you know, talk to. Maybe it was rebellious and daring when it came out. Maybe it's the whole Salinger mystique. Maybe I just didn't get it. I read it because I was told repeatedly about its brilliance; I saw almost none of that. I won't deny that there were amusing moments, but as a whole I was far from impressed.
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Summary: Interesting
Review: When this book came out, it caused quite a stir in the conservative community. People didn't like Holden Caufield because he was a "rebel" and said "damn" a lot. I've heard pundits denouncing this book as a piece of garbage littered with the F word. This book is not a piece of crap, it actually is entertaining. The F word is almost nowhere to be found, and the one place it does appear is when Holden observes some grafitti. I cannot see what the fuss was about. I felt Holden was a good character. The book lets you know that the slacker who always sits in the back of your class and/or who takes all the easy courses in high school is not such a detestable nobody after all. Like Caulfield, he or she may be deep, analytical individual, who will do something nice if the opportunity arrives. I thought Holden showed a high degree of honor and integrity when he gave $10 of his shrinking money supply to two nuns. If you're reading this book just because of all the flak it's recieved in past years, you'll be disappointed. Salinger has written a thorough story of a few days in the life of an "outcast," Holden Caulfield.
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Summary: Teens and phonies
Review: I have read this book and I love it. A lot of people had told me about it and how good it was. The story is about Holden Caulfield, a troubled teenager who just got thrown out of high school. The story is about his experiences and thoughts. I think a lot of teens, even now, can relate. It's about feeling alienated and having every one against you. Holden keeps talking about all the phonies and there's a good point in what he's saying. The book is inspirational and eye opening. You should read it.
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Summary: Extremely depressing
Review: To be totally honest with you I thought the book is seriously over-rated. Maybe some day when I'm old and gray I'll understand the true meaning of this book. I got two things out of this book. First, that he wanted to save people, (catcher in the rye), and hewas totally messed up in the head. I beleive he was suffering from clinical Depression. PA
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Summary: A book
Review: Catcher in the Rye is a book. A very good book. Read it. Or if you don't like to read books, then watch Being John Malkovich, one of the greatest movies ever. And all you people quit complaining about the bad language and get a life.
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Summary: This is a literary masterpiece?
Review: I have heard people rave about how wonderful this book is and I must ask...why? Aside from it being written in a style that a teenager speaks, quite annoying frankly, this book was a bore. If there was symbolism, I didn't catch it. As far as characters go, I like Phoebe better than Holden. I wanted to give up on this book after the first two or three chapters but I read on waiting for the excitement to begin. Needless to say, I was disappointed.
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Summary: We all have a little bit of Holden in us...
Review: Absolutely the best novel I was ever forced to read.(Eighth-grade English class...)So good in fact, I've read it at least a half dozen times over the years. In Holden Caulfield, Salinger has created one of the most enduring and sympathetic literary characters of all-time. I think it is safe to say that most of us, whether we'd care to admit it or not, can find a little bit of Holden within ourselves. Holden is the perpetually troubled child. Emotionally wrecked by an ugly, unforgiving world which shattered his hopes at an early age, Holden constantly rants and raves. Hurling venemous attacks on the evil "phonies" whom he believes are to blame for his woes, Holden ostracizes himself from everyone except his loyal sister Phoebe. The beauty of "Catcher in the Rye" is that the story, and the sentiment it provokes, is still relevant a half century after its original publication. True, most of us won't go as far overboard as Holden does, but certainly his disenchantment will strike a universal chord with many people at various times of their lives. So go ahead and read it again and don't be surprised if you have a different perspective of Holden with each reading. Perhaps you'll loathe him, or perhaps you'll love him. Maybe you'll laugh hysterically. Maybe you'll simply shake your head in disgust. No matter what, you'll never be bored reading this all-time classic.
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