The Catcher in the Rye

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Summary: What else can I say? The best book I've ever read.
Review: This is a superb book. I loved it 100%, besides one problem. I thought after I finished it, why was this book written? I agree with, I think one else said this. It gives no reason, and no plot, but I loved it to much to not for it to exist. There is no reason for it to exist though, but too good of a story. I thought of it, and wondered, why did this be written, but hell, I loved it. That is my only problem. It has no plot, and every story should have a plot. I'm not one of those religious guys, and I did read it correctly, pretending that you are Holden Caulfield. That's why I like it. The story is great. It could effect some minds though, but not mine. Great book. If you like depressing books, read this. This, next to, "On the Road", by, I forgot his name. "The Firm", "The Partner", by John Grisam, and Earnest Hedington's "The Old Man and the Sea", are my favorite books. I also like the series of Terry Goodkind's, "The Sword of Truth". Though, above all, I like "The Catcher in the Rye.

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Summary: Over-hyped, and yes i've read it more than once.
Review: I read it in high school, didn't do anything for me. Reread it recently cuz everyone says it's awesome. And I'm disappointed. Guess what, we're all phonies according to Holden, and that's because we aren't Allie, Phoebe, or under ten years old.

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Summary: Has to be read at least once...
Review: The storyline dragged in some places, and it jumped around an awful lot. Holden's vocabulary was kind of limited, but maybe this was the author's intention? Nevertheless it is a classicthat has to be experienced at least once.

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Summary: Definitely worth reading
Review: If you ever have to give one book to a Martian to explain what teenage thoughts and experiences are like, choose this one.

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Summary: obvious theme is a revelation??
Review: For years, when people were asked which book had the most impact on their lives, Catcher headed the list. When I finally got to read this gem, I was utterly perplexed. Although Salinger writes well, the book's lack of a plot and immature, plaintive hero drove me to hate it. I could have done without a plot if Holden Caufield had learned anything from his experiences. However, upon the conclusion of the book, he is still the same insecure, apathetic, sarcastic, slimy little toad that he is at the beginning. He undergoes no change which is the only thing that could have saved this zepplin of a book. After drawing out a weekend into pages and pages of ordinary, Caufield finally realizes that the world is fake?! Well, DUH!. I have to wonder about readers who found this a revelation. I suppose if one entered the world blind to people's true intentions and motivations that this fact could be elusive. However, to those of us whio dare to think independently, the theme of the novel is something we've known for years. If you choose to read this, be prepared for disappointment.

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Summary: What is the point?
Review: OK. I read this book for an English book review. I first heard about it when I watched Conspiracy Theory and I wanted to read it to find out how it fits in with the movie. I read it, thinking the whole time that Holden is insane. The kid scares me. But I want to know what the point of this book is. I couldn't see one. I opened the book with an open mind, I usually read fantasy and this book isn't one that would ordinarily catch my attention. The swearing didn't bother me. I actually found that amusing. But the book bothered me in some unknown way. I want to know what the point was. It was an ok book, but I didn't exactly like it a whole lot.

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Summary: It ain't no phony
Review: By telling a story about the bleak, post-war world around him, Holden Caulfield was not only Salinger's insight, but his irony. We've all been in Holden's shoes and know what it feels like to be irritated with things we can't change, so we can all relate to his disposition. But, the underlying trait of Salinger's protagonist is that he's basically all talk. The scene with the prostitute, making fun of Ackley behind his back--they're all emotions and feelings that are, in some respect, universal to all human beings, but mostly the sort of things we are too proud to speak about. The historical part of the novel (the post war boom), was what caught me best though. Salinger criticizes American economics by letting a sardonic teenager (who, in all actuality, no one would have listened to the argument of) and let him do his dirty work as well as spend a whole crap load of cash. So, by using a cocky character to critique the general ills of a superficial upper class, Salinger shows us the incessant struggle that all of us, in every walk of life, goes through. You can read this book on an economic level, a sociological level, a historical level, the list goes on and on. Bravo!

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Summary: Well written and informative
Review: This book has become my favorite book of all time. I am a junior in high school, and I read it to understand whats happening around me. It is a book that everyone can relate to, saying that many people are phonies because of what they do. All of Holden's experiences has somewhat happened to me somewhere along the line as well. This is just a great book. Plain and simple. Thank you J. D. Salinger

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Summary: Though an excellent book...
Review: I understand all these excellent reviews do have backing, I can't continue to read it. Salinger didn't intend to make ypou all happy, he was shpwing the effects of his life in literaure. For example the theme of phoniness. His mom changed her name so that her husband's family would except her.

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Summary: What about Jane Gallagher?
Review: Didn't anyone wish that Salinger had written more about Holden's interactions with Jane Gallagher? For me, the most heartbreaking section was where Jane broke down crying during the checkers game and Holden began kissing her. After that she disappeared and Holden never got into "the mood" to call her. Maybe after his disastrous encounter with Sally Hayes he didn't want to see what old Jane had become herself. Anyhow, I thought the plot was marginal, but in a story like this if there's TOO much plot it overwhelms the character. And Holden is an incredible character. To all the people who complain that Holden is whiny and pessimistic: re-read the book. Holden doesn't indiscriminately label everything as "phony", "lousy", or "corny." When he is pleased with something he is direct about it. What is heartbreaking is the way he continually demeans himself and his intelligence, while his remarks and insights really show him to be a child (not an adult) of incredible intelligence and sensitivity. He's so lonely and vulnerable that you just want to give him a hug, tell him that you understand his troubles. I think the purpose of the plot was basically to place Holden in many different situations (many involving the consumption of alcohol) and leave the reader to piece together his character. The section where Holden hired the prostitute and then just asked her to talk, then was threatened by the oafish elevator man and broke down crying, was blackly funny. He's such a little boy.