The Catcher in the Rye

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Summary: MUST READ--MS
Review: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger's most renowned literary work is about a sixteen year old Holden Caulfield and takes place over one weekend's time. Interestingly enough, the beginning of the book is the end-as he recalls the story as it completely unfolds under your eyes and eventually the reader begins to see how everything fell into place. The book displays a total mental digression of Holden and leads you to show how he eventually breaks down through his own words. The story is written in first person (entirely in Holden's perspective with no outside influences) and uses very common diction with heavy subtext, creating a good story to read whether you're a college professor or a grade school student. The book displays a touch of cynicism and realism displayed humorously and people of almost every age could establish a common bond to it. The most common feelings associated with this book are along the lines of finding a lot of things that coincide with day to day life. He thinks along the lines of at least one person you know, if not yourself, and commonly recognizes real problems with people while putting off his own with isolation. The book is mainly characterized for being a Bildungsroman novel but the theme to some is way surpassed the usual tale of a boy's coming of age. Reading how Holden regards his pending adulthood could teach most people a lesson and give you a few laughs while being read. I really enjoyed this book because it is timeless be it in the 1950's or today and is read on so many different levels be it an adult or a teenager, everyone can walk away with something from it.

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Summary: Don't name your child Holden.......
Review: Not quite seeing what all of the praise was about even over halfway in, this book crept up on me. It turned out to be much more than I expected and can't help but think that much of the following it's gathered was drawn for the wrong reason. For instance, in the movie "The Good Girl", the angsty youth gave himself the name "Holden" and for obvious reasons: he identified with the cynicism of the character and his adolescent contempt for the world around him. Problem is, of course, that's not the point of the story.

It's humorous and had me snickering like an idiot as I read through some of Holden's observations, but the characters deep flaws are not a celebration in themselves. That was the impression I had gotten from people over the years: this guy is great because he's jaded like me. Not that many of his observations weren't dead-on, but to have held this general outlook and not feel sad in some way is to have missed the point altogether. Many of us can see a bit of our own cynicism, particularly earlier in life, in Holden and hopefully clearer yet, the innocently mistaken notions that led to such frustration.

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Summary: A Book Review By Shannon M.
Review: Catcher in the Rye was an astonishing book. I really enjoyed reading the book by J.D. Salinger. When I first started the book, I quickly became attached to the character and the thoughts he had expressed. For example, I felt like I related to Holden in numerous ways. The technique that J.D. Salinger articulated with Holden, his character seemed so real in my mind. I felt that Salinger described the emotions, actions and thoughts of Holden so well that it gave me the impression that he had gone into the minds of teenagers and described almost precisely how they felt as well as the problems that many had.
I personally don't read novels on my own free will, but I could frankly say I enjoyed reading every chapter of this book. It was unpredicted towards the end. However, the last few chapters of the book started to get dreary. I anticipated something more exciting to happen such as someone getting injured or a twist in attitude. Conversely, I really enjoyed how the book ended and the emotion that Holden had experienced during his expedition through the city.
The descriptions that the author described was easily traced in my mind. With no trouble, I was able to imagine Holden and other characters by the way Salinger had described them. I depicted Holden as a tall and lean male with short brown hair, who could effortlessly pass older than his age. I also pictured Holden with his bright red hunting hat on, walking down city streets shivering. Also, through out the rest of the story, I thought that Holden complained much about things. In some ways, I could understand his point-of-view on things and the impressions he got from people. I assumed he complained about things because perhaps he wanted to get his point across to make the reader understand him a little bit better. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it had an astonishing plot and storyline to it!

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Summary: Essential reading for teenagers
Review: The idea of a book's plot being centered around just three days of the main character's life has always been something that intrigues audiences. Catcher In The Rye is no different, and upon starting this book, I was unable to keep my nose out of it for days. It's hard to say why, but I think it's the combination of the book's content being timeless, relatable, and original.

Holden, a typical teenage boy living in the Northeast, finds himself being kicked out of Pencey (his boarding school) on account of his less-than-impressive grades. He leaves prior to that, however, presumably to escape the dreary school life that seems to have been bothering for quite some time. He decides to go home, but not without encountering two days in the Big Apple. The actual text, however, is much like a live diary of Holden's thoughts as he encounters various people and flashbacks of his foggy past. Of course, the theme sounds a little drab on paper, but Salinger's way of conveying this young character with an impressive wit and intelligence makes the reader addicted to the story. It's so real and timeless that you can often find yourself forgetting that you're reading a book that was written 50-plus years ago. Many of the characters don't stick around longer than a few chapters in the book, but each and every one of them reveals so much of their personality despite the fact that Holden is the only character that sticks around until the end of the book. It's Salinger's way of making things seem so authentic that makes this book so brilliant.

It's easy why to see this book is such a staple in American literature; it's trendy, it's classic, and it doesn't waste time giving the reader too much to analyze. It's moving literature without the dreary focus on making EVERYTHING have an underlying meaning (which is the reason why so many teenagers don't enjoy reading today). It goes back to what books are meant to do; enlighten, inspire, and entertain.

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Summary: This book is clearly very overrated
Review: I read this book only cause everyone was talking about it and I wanted to know for myself, what it was about. First reading it, I thought how stupid and lame the boy was... I kept on reading cause I felt maybe there's more to it, maybe it'd get better. I was very wrong. This book is very predictable and has no plot. The character was annoying and boring. I wish there was a choice in 0 stars cause it's what this book deserves. I gave my copy away to my fiancee hoping she'll agree with the crap that is this book. NOTE: Monica don't be taken in with the simple closed minded readers!!

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Summary: Billy's Review
Review: As I was reading "The Catcher in the Rye," by J.D Salinger, it made me think about the world that we live in today, and if this situation that Holden Caulfield is in,realistic. Throughout the novel, Holden encounters many different women, for mostly the same reason, and need I say more. The boy is just 16 years old, and has been kicked out of school for his grades/actions numerous times, without his parents really caring or knowing about him and his education. I find that hard to believe that the parents of today's age would allow their child to go through this. Even though this story takes place in the 1950's, i still do not believe parents in that day and age would allow it either.

When Holden Caulfield runs away from school before Christmas break, I find it hard to believe that all of the people of Manhattan, wouldn't question him. Why a 16 year old boy would be able to check into a hotel by himself, and go into a few bars with 30 year old ladies and be served. Correct me if I'm wrong, I beileve that you have to be at least 18 years old to check into a hotel room, and 21 years of age to be served alcohol in New York.

The one part of this novel that I did enjoy was how Holden speculates the people in the society he lives in are so dumb that they would actually write a four letter word, followed by a "you", on his tombstone. Even though I can't see that happening, I found that very humorous. I also love the fact that he calls everyone "phony", when really I think he is phony. He seems like he is the person who has a negative outlook on everything in the world, except towards the end of the novel, when he is optimistic about his future.

Overall, I'd rate this 3 stars out of 5, which in my mind isnt too bad. There were many points in the novel that made me laugh and really think about some things. But what brought the score down was, I didn't like how Salinger had the society play dumb in the novel. There are numerous times where Holden gets away with things that in my mind, would be shocking if he were to do the same in today's world. If Iwere to recomend this book, I would recomend it too mature teenagers who like fictional stories. A few changes to improve this novel, could of made my review a lot different in a positive way.

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Summary: Relates to everyone in someway.
Review: I believe this book is liked by so many people is that many folk, especially youngins, can somehow relate to Holden Caulfield's life [the main character], he is so dynamic in his negative aspect on life and his comments. I have read this book twice and im not even a big reader. The first time was for a book report, but during the summer after I cant believe I actually read it again and learned even more underlying ideas. This is a great read and not too long either!

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Summary: absolutly hillarious
Review: I really enjoyed reading this novel by J.D. Salinger. It was a savagely funny page-turner and no matter what the situation was this book never failed to give me a great laugh. This is one of those books where you don't need to relate to the story to fully enjoy its humor. I can't recall a page that didn't crack me up. For example a part in the book I like was when Holden Caulfield said that he was loaded because his grandma was losing her mind and would send him birthday money four times a year. There were also a lot of other funny parts but I remember that one the most because I was at the airport going out to California to see my mom and I only see her once a year. Basically I think that this book is a great book. There were really no parts of the story I didn't like except on the very beginning of the book. I think that the author spent too much time talking about Holden's school. They spent about 80-100 pages just talking about what he was doing at his school. Other than that I can't recall any bad parts in this book. It was funny the whole way through so I cant really complain about anything.

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Summary: If this book was written today...
Review: Holden would probably be toting a rifle to school and he'd be on the six o'clock news. This very sad book has a different resonance when you read it as an adult and parent of teenagers. I recommend this to anyone who worries about getting inside their son's head or even if you want to start a converstation with your teen. You should both read this. That way, you can both know you are not alone and you are going through this together.

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Summary: A horrible book, about a horrible person
Review: I simply do not understand how anyone can say this book is anything more than a worthless story about a worthless human being. The central character is a spoiled brat, who can not be happy with anything his privelaged position has given him, and instead seeks to spread his misery to all the people that he comes into contact with. Whether it be a hooker, or a school chum, or his own family.

If it wasn't for the main characters constant whining, there would be no plot at all. This has to be, without a doubt the worse book I have ever read. The authors only real accomplishment is that he seems to be able to write complete sentences.