The Catcher in the Rye

Rating:
Summary: you can't read it enough
Review: I hadn't read Catcher since high school until I read it again the summer before teaching it to my 9th grade honors English class. I remember loving it as a kid, but as an adult, it blew me away. As a kid, I picked up the humor, but I don't think I picked up the poignancy -- I found myself crying in many scenes: at the museum with Phoebe, when Holden dances with Phoebe while hiding in his parents' apartment, when he finds out his teacher is a pervert -- what seemed funny then is emotionally gut renching now. Suddenly it seems more obvious why Holden is depressed and how he perceives his world. He refuses to see the world through rose colored glasses; rather, he sees right down to every last fault and phony utterance. I can't believe how much better this book got over the years. If you have never read it or haven't read it recently, you owe it to yourself. I love books about schools, and this is probably the best (A Separate Peace is quite good too). For those who love New York, there is a lot of local flavor here too. If you want to know what it feels like to feel alienated as a teenager, this book is a must. Not that it's all depressing: you'll laugh out loud at some of the early scenes dealing with his roommates at prep school.

Rating:
Summary: We've all felt like Holden
Review: I'd be lying if I said that I knew exactly how to review this book. The story is meant to be a simple one, but the complexity of young Holden Caulfield, the opinions he holds, and the manner which he so candidly speaks them, keeps the reader guessing and thinking long after the book has been finished.

Holden is so straight forward, so easily spoken, that I couldn't help but smile at his written thoughts, even when they occasionally seemed petty and immature. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the book and I love the character, but you have to admit, he does tend to gripe.(just a little though)

I doubt there are many of us who have already forgotten our teenage years(some of our fellow Salinger readers are still in them)but if you have managed this awe inspiring feat of memory loss then I'll clue you in. They were awkward. And the author's use of sprawling, disjointed, narrative does a good job of thrusting that fact right back into our face. We, as Holden demonstrates so well, experimented with opinion, were quick to judge our peers(an unfortunate number of us were on the losing end of that trait), heard our speak grow sharper, and realized that "phonies," as Holden so casually put it, were everywhere.

Then came dorm life and the first meeting with our very own Stradlater. Obnoxious, vain, indifferent, and strangely likable even with these faults. Don't you think Holden cared about Stradlater in a way? Granted, they did fight, and hurtful words were thrown around, but I found it next to impossible during my own school years to easily push someone I spent so much time with aside, even when that time wasn't necessarily voluntary. I doubt Holden would be any different. Part of me wishes I had been given the chance to find out.

Salinger does something amazing with this book. He helps us remember. Even as I've been writing this ramble of a review, memories of friends I haven't seen and places I've been just keep popping into mind. Holden states at the end of his story: "I don't know what the hell to say. If you want to know the truth, I don't know what I think about it. I'm sorry I told so many people about it. About all I know is, I sort of miss everybody I told about. Even old Stradlater and Ackley, for instance. I think I even miss that goddam Maurice. It's funny. Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody."

It is funny. How things remind you I mean. And how things once so difficult seem so humorous and easy in hindsight.

Folks, don't let this book slip through your fingers. Grab hold, read slowly, and soak in what it has to say. Even if it does ramble.

Just like me.

Rating:
Summary: If I could give it more stars i would..
Review: ranks right up there with "on the road," "the sun also rises," and "generation x ,"as an epic novel of dissilusioned youth...my 12th grade english teach made me read this book when i wanted to read hamlet...i don't think i'll ever be able to thank her enough...holden caulfield is me...and if anyone ever tries to make a movie version of this book, may he never know another day of peace on earth...read it for yourself...

Rating:
Summary: A People Shooting Hat
Review: I've spent the past half hour at work reading the reviews of "The Catcher in the Rye" <blowing UPenns money>. I first read this book a few years back when I was 16 years old. It was assigned to us for an English class. I suppose that's how most teenagers get their first glimpse of Holden Caulfield. Most of the reviews have already covered what I consider to be some of the more critical themes within the novel. However, I wanted to point out a portion of a rather recent movie that deals eloquently and poignantly with the major theme of emotional paralysis that Salinger so lucidly portrays by way of Holden. "Six Degrees of Separation", a movie that stars Stockard Channing, Will Smith, and Donald Sutherland, contains an incredibly articulate monologue related to the aforementioned theme. It's one of the most artfully done movie scenes I think I've ever viewed. I urge you ALL to rent this movie <in addition to the scene related to Catcher, it is a fantastic film>.

Furthermore, I wanted to commend Salinger on one of the most accurate and forthright portrayals of a clinically depressed teenager I have ever encountered within all of literature. The beauty of this novel, for me, was the inclusion of all of Holden's faults w/o apologies. Finally, when we look at adolescents today and recognize the same fear, foibles, insecurities, and hubris that we see in Holden I think it behooves us to realize that all of these perceived character flaws are without premeditation and more so are the result of a naivete that is probably the closest thing we have to innocense in society today. The quality of the reviews of this book is truly a testament to the universality of the adolescent experience.

Rating:
Summary: a true american classic - as good as it gets
Review: giving this book a favorable review is almost cliché. the one thing that, i think, most everyone that has read this book would agree upon, is that it is truly timeless. since it's publishing in 1951 this book has become an american classic.

the story is simple enough but rich with many characters. the main character holden caulfield is sometimes <as in the story> misunderstood. i paraphrase yogi berra, ".. i thought catcher in the rye was about baseball, turns out it's just about some whinny kid .." this comment was made tongue in cheek and to illicit a laugh but those who do not enjoy this book often leave with this misconception.

the story is really one that would seem to be ripped more from today's generation x then the era it was written. holden is experiencing many difficulties in life, most of which appear to be centered around authoritative figures. the book is written in holden's narrative and although he tries to come off as sophisticated, cynical, or perhaps even aloof he's really just looking for meaning or to be understood.

i realize that my review can only inspire you so much to read this book. i wish i could do more. i can only suggest that if you have not read this book - buy it .. read it. if you have read this book - read it again. regardless, your time will be well spent.

Rating:
Summary: The Catcher in the Rye
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Any one who wants a laugh or a cry should DEFINATELY read this book. Holden has depression although Salinger never directly comes out and states Holden's state.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting and Funny
Review: The Catcher in The Rye is a well written book. It is appealing to all kinds of readers. If you can sit down and read at anytime, this is definitely a book for you. Or if your the kind of reader that doesn't always have lots of time to read, this is for you too. I always hate it if I have to stop in the middle of a chapter. Well, in this book, you don't have to. The chapters are nice and short. You won't always feel like you are missing out. But in this book, it is not likely to happen. Once you start reading, you will be hooked. Probably to the character Holden Caulfield. He is a the main character of the book. You will be attracted to his spontaneous attitude and his free-speaking mind. But you wouldn't like his negativity about life. The thing is, he is not afraid to do or say anything. If he feels like doing something, he will. But there are sometimes when he won't do anything at all. His excuse is that he wasn't in the mood to do it. I know people hate to do things, but they end up doing it because they have to. For example, school work. Kids hate it, but they end up doing it. Not him. He doesn't care what happens, he doesn't care about anything that happens to him. He doesn't even care about what goes around in the world. For example, when he gets kicked out of school. He doesn't care about his parents or his future. If I got kicked out, I would freak out. Or the time when he lost all of the school's equipment. Or when he was in the park. He was soaked and out in the freezing weather. All he did was lie down on the park bench. He kept talking about how he was going to catch pneumonia and die. He didn't care if he did, all he thought about was the future. How his parents and loved ones would react. He didn't try to warm himself up or anything. But if there is something you got to love is his attitude and mind. How he is such a free-speaker and a great liar. He was such a free-thinker. He would always say what was on his mind. He would never hesitate, but he would regret a lot of things. Also, he didn't try to act in a way he wasn't. That's what he hated most, phonies. He wasn't a hypocrite either. Some people hate the way people act, but then they act just like them, not Holden. Also, I liked it when he would meet phonies, he would get so pissed at them. It killed him. One thing I admired about him was his ability to lie so well. Throughout the book Holden tells multiples lies to everybody. But he is able to say them without hesitation and he isn't concerned about what might happen next. He just goes with the flow, he is the slickest and smoothest talker I have ever seen. The thing that bothers me about him is his lack of motivation and his money management problem. He barely tries at anything. I think he is one of those people that have the skills, they just don't use them. Also, he has to learn how to manage his money. If I knew someone who blew money like that, I would be so aggravated. In all, I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to other readers.

Rating:
Summary: I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this book...
Review: I've heard that is was one of those life altering, perspective changing books that every high schooler had to read, but for some reason it wasn't in my curriculum when I was in high school, so I decided to pick it up one day, I was completely excited and ready to be changed... As it turned out, I could hardly finish this book due to Holden's incessant whining, "Oh, I thought maybe I'd do this, but then I was bored so I didn't"... Poor Me, Poor Me, oh yeah, it's so tough to be a rich kid with every opportunity that life has to offer laying at his feet. This character made me sick with pity for what the youth of today has been and can be.

Jillian

Rating:
Summary: The most amazing book ever
Review: I was reading one of the reviews and it was asking what the catcher in the rye was. It said that the author should have chosen a title that went along with the book. That is just sad. Maybe, next time, you should actually pay attention to what you're reading and you just might get why so many people believe this to be one of the best books ever written.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic for All Generations
Review: J. D. Salinger's, "The Catcher in the Rye," is a classic novel of an adolescent who discovers the truth of human nature when he leaves school early. The themes and observations expressed in this story are classic, for all generations. The characters are realistic, and well defined. They are also easy to identify with, especially the lead character Holden Caulfield. Holden tells us the story of what happened to him during the days after he left school, which he would soon be kicked out of, and went out into New York City on his own. During the time Holden is in school, and when he is out on the street, he meets many people. Holden is able to give a character depth and recognizable characteristics simply by telling a one story about the person. For example, the story of a boy he barely knew named James Castle. James refused to take back a comment he made about somebody; he was then ruthlessly beaten by the kid and his friends. When he could no longer take the abuse he gathered up the strength to run and jump out the window, killing himself instantly. James is only talked about this one time in the novel and doesn't contribute anything crucial to the plot. He does, however, show us different emotions of Holden (such as caring for others) as well as telling us about another interesting character who some may be able to identify with. There are so many characters Holden meets, even the small ones add to the story and leave an impression on the reader. Through Holden's short journey of self-discovery, he evolves as a character and goes through many emotional changes, ranging from depression to overwhelming joy. He starts as a depressed adolescent who's angry at the world and its "phonies." After meeting so many of these adult phonies, who he despises, and realizes that his dream is to protect the children, like his beloved sister, from becoming phonies. By the end of his journey, he realizes this dream is unrealistic, and that you must let children live and enjoy their innocence and freedom. This shows how people can change and how you have to take time to realize the truths of life. "The Catcher in the Rye" is told through the viewpoint of Holden Caulfield, a young teenager. When he describes the way people look, or an outdoor landscape, the descriptive language is limited to a teenager's vocabulary. Although he can observe people accurately, his description of his surroundings could be more detailed. If he did do this, the book may have not been as realistic. Though the story is great without the description of physical characteristics, I think they would have made the reader feel more connected to Holden by seeing the surroundings through his eyes. Today, "The Catcher in the Rye," is hailed as a classic for all time. This however, was not always so. When the book first came out in 1951, parents were afraid that their kids would leave school, and that the adult language would corrupt their young minds. This is highly ironic in that this is exactly what Holden wanted to protect from happening, and many people felt he was causing the corruption of children. "The Catcher in the Rye" has connected, at some level, with almost all of its readers. It is a timeless story of self-discovery and realization. The characters are memorable and captivating. This is one of the great American novels.