The Catcher in the Rye

Rating:
Summary: Highly over rated...poor exscuse for a classic
Review: I thought that J.D. Salinger was just trying to develop a "shocker" with this novel, and all I got from it was over abused language and poor writing. I understand that Salinger was portraying a "madman's" point of view yet I feel he could have made the character a little less repetitive and more intelligent

Rating:
Summary: Sounds great hand me the book
Review: for what ive herd this book sounds great and i love it the chartecters are so alive and i have read this book a million times and i am willing to read it again

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Summary: THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, MAKES YOU THINK.
Review: THIS IS AN AMAZING AND INTERESTING BOOK, IN EACH WORD, IN EACH SENTENCE, THE AUTOR WROTE SOMETHING BETWEEN LINES THAT MAKES YOU UNDERSTAND, HOLDEN'S FEELINGS, HE ALSO WANTED TO SHOW, HOW THE LIFE IS, AND THAT IF YOU DON'T FIGHT FOR IT, YOU WILL STAY ALONE FOR EVER.

Rating:
Summary: A feat so rare......
Review: I am a 24 year old writer and a very big fan of all of Salinger's writings. I have read many of the comments on this page, and although I am glad to see so many 5 stars, I must say I am quite disappointed in some of the book's reviewers. Simply put, no, not everyone could relate to Holden, and it is not a necessity that one should even like him, but this cannot be ignored: Salinger has created a timeless work of art that very few artists ever achieve in their lives. Salinger has accomplished a very rare feat - he has, unwillingly, become the spokesperson for a generation. When one looks back, how many artists, whether writers, musicians, or painters have accomplished this feat? These "special" artists come along perhaps once every decade or so. In the 90's, this "special" artist has probably been Kurt Cobain - and no one else. That is how rare these accomplishments come about, and so whether you like it or not, Salinger's The Catcher must be treated ! in this regard.

Rating:
Summary: Hardly a great book, but still thought provoking
Review: While I understand why Catcher in the Rye is a classic, I would have never given it that honor myself. It is certianly no mystery as to why many serial killers have enjoyed this book. Its protagonist is utterly discusted with life, and stays that way throughout the entire book. These feelings of utter disdain are exactly how I would imagine a killer's being. While this may reinforce the attitudes of the criminally insane, it comes over as sickeningly pessisimistic to me. Another problem is the utterly low level of writing quality. He uses the same phrases over and over again until it becomes frustrating. I never want to hear the phrases "Phony" or "Goddamn" again! Even moreso, I don't want to hear "It really is." or "I really am." once more, or I'll scream. I'm also suprised at the extreme amount of profanity. Sure, it's mild by today's standards (although the F-word is used a couple of times). But by the st! andards of the ninteen fifties, I'm sure it was extraordinarily shocking, and was probably one of the primary reasons that it was banned in many places. In the end, though, despite the juvenile writing and feeling of utter depression that it evokes, it still is quite thought provoking, and is worth a read (it's only about two hundred pages, so you should be able to finish it in a day or so). It's good, but hardly classic material.

Rating:
Summary: J.D. Salinger CAUGHT my attention!
Review: This book is depressing, yet never seemed to lose my attention. The author uses interesting language that keeps the reader going. The stories of Houlden's life made me feel like I actually knew him....and near the end of the book I was worried about him. This book is well worth reading!

Rating:
Summary: GREST BOOK!!
Review: I had to read this book for English this past year. When the book was handed out, I thought..."Great, another boring book." I was TOTALLY wrong. I loved it. I found that teenagers today can relate to Holden because of the STUDID things that teenagers do. I think that a lot of teenagers can relate to it because of the mass problems that we as teenagers have to go through..smoking, sex, meeting people, school, and parents

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Summary: This is the book.
Review: A special gift to who have to think about the humankind and the society.

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Summary: A book for the ages.
Review: Alright, well I'm also a teenager and seeing as all the other ripped this book apart, I think I'll go ahead and support it. This is simply the best book I have ever read. I admit, I go to prep. school and it's sometimes rough and Holden realistically portrays that. The character of Holden Caulfield does NOT represent all teenagers and that stereotype. He represents so much more. A teenager sick of the world before he has even reached manhood. This may be a critically acclaimed book and I'm sure it has won many awards before. Now forget that for a moment and simple read the book. Holden's wryness and the extremeness of his character well represent a person searching for who he is and in doing so what the world is around him is like, "phonies" and all. J.D. Salinger has simply outdone himself.

Rating:
Summary: Programmed Minds Revolt.
Review: This is a book that rebels against the systematic programming of people that has been going on for years. This novel shows a young man who knows something is wrong, but can't figure out what. He doesn't have the words or knowledge to know that everything he has been taught about the world is a lie. The thing people don't realize about books like these and others, is that these people are here now. There are many teens in America who are depressed for seemingly no reason, and who don't enjoy school and hate all this bs that is flooding our world. This book is a must read.