The Catcher in the Rye

Rating:
Summary: Immensely human
Review: Sometimes people forget that literature is really about reminding us what is it like to be human - to succumb to feelings of sadness & hopelessness & futility, to want to escape, to want to love & protect, the way we contradict ourselves etc. This is partly why I read, to discover parts of myself in others & know I am not isolated. Catcher in the Rye was the first novel that really opened up literature for me. It struck me totally (I remember opening it up to scan the first page or so - something I usually do - & not looking back up until about ten chapters later). Holden Caulfield is a very real character, for me immediately identifiable. For months after reading the book his voice floated around my head. It tapped into my own feelings & thoughts at the time with what we are presented with daily, expected to grow up into & be a part of with little thought (it sounds so cliched, but it's true!) I mean, I read this more than forty years after it was published (3-4 years ago), & it is a meandering, conversational, slang-filled book, but it still has not worn much at all. I think it is one of the great novels of the 21st century. (What's this stuff about it being full of profanity? get a grip, there's only one f-word in it & even that's blanked out, talk about living in a dreamworld if you think youth don't swear in casual conversation - even by 1940/50s standards). I think in parts it is extremely funny - I love the bit where Holden & Sally Hayes go ice-skating & he descibes how ridiculous they look. Heehee.

Rating:
Summary: It Makes you think
Review: I started to hate Holden because he frustrated me so much. His constantly negative remarks about everyone, his lazyness and uncaring attitude,and his superiority all bothered me. As I read, I began to understand his character more and I liked him. As soon as it is accepted that there is a little Holden in all of us, the book is more enjoyable. It taught me many lessons about motivation, superficiality and understanding. Read it, it's very well written.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I totally loved this book. I am 17 and I could really relate with his feelings and actions. I was amazed that it was written in the 50's and is so like the world know. It keeps your interest the whole way through. If you are a teenager, or want to remember the days, this is a terrific book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for teenagers
Review: I Have read this book and I think that it is a great book for teenagers. It is well written, it describes Holden Caulfield's life in great detail, and it is extremely funny. It is written to show the slang that Holden uses in his writing, but does not make you think that the author too is using slang. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Unputdownable!!
Review: I've just finished reading this book. And my first reactionwas to surf the net and read as much about this book as possible. Iwanted to relive some of the magic through the eyes of others who love this book. Needless to say, the book was sheer reading pleasure as much for it's language as for the thoughts expressed by Holden. The ending was so moving I could'nt resist calling my little sister in India right away. This book definitely rates as one of the very best I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for any parent or teenager.
Review: After you read this you'll wonder what in the life of a teenager has really changed from the 50's to the 90's. It reads like teenager's act and speak in today's schools and in society. The arrogant "I know everything" attitude is masterfully detailed by Salinger. The sex, alcohol, and "don't give a damn" attitude of Holden is really the reality of just about every teenager, even today. That is what makes Salinger's book a classic. Holden is someone we either were or someone we knew at some point in our lives. We ALL sympathize with Holden, yet at the same time we say to ourselves, "what the hell is this kid thinking?" Yet, we all know exactly what he is thinking, even if we don't like to admit it! If you open your mind and your heart to Holden Caulfield, you are really opening up to what went on in yourself as a teenager and what is going on in the mind of your teenagers! Caulfield reminds me of the character, Joe Green, a troubled soul on a quest to understand his past in Steiger's new master piece, Alien Rapture. I highly endorse buying this book. It is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: A True Mastepiece!
Review: This is one of the finest books I have ever read. Salinger writes well on Holden's thoughts and feelings. We know exactly what he feels about people, aka phonies, and society. I would recommend this book to anyone despite its controversies. In fact read every single banned books for they are banned because they raise clever yet, rebellious questions. This book enforces that we shouldn't be controlled by phonies in this cynical world.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: The book taps into the life of a troubled boy. Many men can identify with Holden. I felt as though Salinger described what growing up as a male was all about. I have read the book twice and still feel as though I do not completely understand everything. I do understand and identify with many things that the boy is feeling throughout the book.

Rating:
Summary: A FEW WORDS TO THOSE WHO HATED IT
Review: First of all, you better not laugh at my english if I make any mistakes: I lived in Paris for 10 years and have been living in Montreal for 8, which makes french my main language. I think Holden's views and opinions are a little more mature than the average. To those 17 year olds who say Holden is immature, I'd like to hear your opinion on different things. Probably more than half of you would say things like: "I hate this book cause it's boring!" or "I hate this cause it sucks". You can't even find decent arguments and reasons to explain your opinion. And you think Holden is immature??? Maybe there should be a required age of at least 18 to send your comments here, or someone who reads comments and doesn't keep those who are not based on good arguments. Most of the bad reviews I read here came from 16 year olds who can't even defend their opinion. Some of those I read look like they come from someone with the intelligence and maturity of a ten year old. Now to those who say the book is bad, especially since killers have read it. I have NEVER read anything as IGNORANT as that! SO MANY people read this book and I don't believe they turned into criminals because of the book. They were morons way before reading this. Saying that is just a lame excuse. Someone ([e-mail]) wrote a comment about the quality of the writing being at a low level. You moron: the guy is 16 YEARS OLD and is talking to his shrink!!! You think he's gonna talk like Shakespeare? I can't believe someone actually wrote that! I totally agree with those who say Holden was a real idiot for throwing away every chance he got at having an education. Fine! Hate him all you want! But why do you have to hate Salinger for it OR his book? I don't understand why so many people hate books because they don't like the character's opinion. Just because YOU can't relate to a character doesn't mean no one else can or should . What do you think, that the whole world's opinion revolves around your own? If this book was such a bad one, then why was it called a masterpiece of the 20th century? they didn't call it that for nothing. It's not because YOU don't like something that no one else should. I'm saying this to those who say: "I don't understand why people like it" Well we didn't understand why you DIDN'T like it. If you could use good arguments to tell us WHY you didn't like it and not things like : "it sucks", maybe we would understand you point of view. In all the comments I read, only few of them actually had a good reason why they hated the book. I'm not asking you to love the book, I'm just asking you to understand and accept the fact that some people do. You don't have to agree with us, just accept the fact that IT IS possible to like it. You say Holden can't find anything positive about life, well neither can some of you about the book. And to those who say there's no plot: the guy is talking to his shrink. You don't tell them stories, you just rant about things you're pissed about. And to those who say: "No wonder killers liked the book, Holden is depressed, he hates life..." Give the guy a break! For God's sake! He's just a 16 year old going through a phase. He's not gonna kill himself or other people! Anyways, don't keep your opinions to yourself, have the guts to e-mail me. But you better have damn good arguments, cause I'm gonna crush you with mine (just kidding, I'm not a bitch. I just can't stand people hating someone's different opinion). Of course, nice comments are welcome too.

Rating:
Summary: Suspensful, exciting, down-to-earth, is my description.
Review: This book is very good and exciting. When you read the first chapter you want to read the rest right away. It is also very emotional and will have you reading a mile a minute.