The Catcher in the Rye

Rating:
Summary: Wow! What symbolism!
Review: After reading The Catcher in the Rye for English class, I found out what I already knew: every book has more symbolism than you can imagine. J.D. Salinger didn't disappoint me in Catcher. While reading it was a great pleasure, finding out the little details made the book that much more fun. While the book could be considered depressing, it seems to be an accurate view of teenage life. I would reccomend this book to anyone who is, was, or ever will be a teenager. Well, maybe not anyone who will be a teenager, but that's a different book altogether.

Rating:
Summary: touching and deep
Review: The reason why this is such an excellent book is that it reaches in and touches the heart of any reader who has not yet made himself too cold and jaded to still feel. The plight of Holden is the beautiful and painful struggle of a sensitive youth, confronted by, and not wanting to face, the harshness of the adult world. Although he does not yet realize it, Holden is strong enough to someday grow into a man who can find a path of beauty and meaning in life. His journey through the initiations of adulthood prove a painful testament to the trials through which innocence must endure. (Not that anyone is entirely innocent, but a connection to goodness and beauty is sought after and found by some, renounced by others.)

Rating:
Summary: over-rated and no big deal
Review: interesting but way too overblow

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Summary: A detailed story of two days in the life of a teenage boy.
Review: I found Salinger's book,"The Catcher in the Rye", to be very stimulating as far as understanding the mind of a sixteen year old boy in a depressing stage of life. Being only three years older than Holden, I can still relate with some of his feelings and emotions. I enjoyed Salinger's writing style and his survey of the thoughts we sometimes all have. It was a good book overall!

Rating:
Summary: Captures a feeling which, apparently, many of you have lost
Review: While reading all of these reviews, I began to wonder if anyone who reviewed this book had actually read it. The people who gave the book one star I can understand: they haven't "gotten it" yet and will probably need to reread it five to ten fifteen years down the road. Those who criticized the swearing, to you I say get a life. Criticizing The Catcher in the Rye for its use of profanity is like saying the Godfather should not be shown because of the violence: the profanity used is part of Holden's diction; it reveals more about him as a character than merely what he thinks about something. If you have a problem reading books with profanity, then many 20th century classics must bother you. For those out there who gave TCITR five stars but went off on its perfect portrayal of teenage angst, I question whether the book itself or the reputation preceding the book influenced your review. I am a 16 year old female who just finished the book for an advanced english 11 class. I do not consider myself cynical, have never drank, smoked, run away, or considered hiring a prostitute, yet I find this book THE most influential book I have ever read. Holden's perception of the world as a bunch of phonies is more dead-on than most people would care to believe. I don't see angst the driving force as much as growing up (or lack thereof). Whether you can relate to this book or not, it is an important read if only to see the world perspective from someone other than yourself. Although I am not an adult yet, it's been my observation that as adults get older, they dislodge more and more from the person they were as a teenager; a reasonable and natural progression. However, when these same adults have children, they are so out of touch with being a teenager that they cannot relate, and therefore write off teenagers as troublemakers. Teenagers haven't changed as much as adults have. While this diatribe will undoubtably offend many people, and I will probably be written off as a teenager who does not understand the world as a whole, I would like to say that I stand by my opinions and wrote this review because I saw a void in the other reviews. Instead of attacking me, I suggest you reread the book or at least think about your motives for disliking it. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I am a devout reader and usually quite picky with my selections, but I was amazed with this book. I had heard of it for a while, yet like Salinger wanted, the title never really drew my attention. After being required to read it for school this year, I am currently reading it for the second time, and plan to several more. The first page alone grabs the reader making it impossible to put down. Salinger's unique style allows you to feel as if he is speaking to you directly throughout the novel. I could definitly relate and identify with the book as well. Being a seventeen year old girl, I face bouts with depression and so on,too. I would definitely reccommend this to anyone, especially young adults.Don't think of it as just another stupid book you have to read for school.Even the slackers who hate reading love this one! To enhance the reading experience, listen to Radiohead OK Computer at the same time!

Rating:
Summary: wow....
Review: This book is great... I disagree with people who don't think it's humorous... it is.... its cynical, ironic, dark humor of a mentally depressed boy, but it is humorous none the less. Its humor often stings you as you catch yourself being in that position very often... Basically, it is an eye-opening book that makes the insane seem sane and REAL life to seem more insane than we ever imagined.

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Summary: the best book i ever read ! ! !
Review: i simply looooved that book.currently i am reading it for the 3rd time and defenitly not the last time.i found alot on common with holden,his dipression and bitterness towards people around him,little things,him over-analyzing everything,the way that everything made him sick.im not like that anymore though i understand the chracter so much.i simply adore salinger for building such a complex,real,intresting chracter such as holden.the plot is like never ending which i loved cause i just didnt want it to end :) everytime you read it you find out more things and details you missed before,and understand that you can read it a dozen of times and never get sick of it..just like a good movie.salinger was/is brilliant..too bad he thought we're not good enough for his writings so i understand.

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: Classic? No. Good? Not really.
Review: I may have missed the point. I am sure that many previous reviewers would find it convenient to attribute this to my age (17) and the fact that this book was required reading. However, I have to wonder something. Is it possible that people are reading WAY too much into this story? I find it more than likely. It's been my experience that if you put something in front of someone and say that it's a classic and has a very deep, significant meaning, they will find one no matter what. In short, I think the novel is dull and poorly written. Those of you who found some grand significance, I applaud you but feel perhaps rather than of finding a revelation in the book, you've found one in yourself.