The Catcher in the Rye

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Summary: The most misunderstood book in the world.
Review: Holden Caulfield is an untypical character, scandalously believed to be the epitome of teenage angst. Subjects of his kind are few and far between and worshipers of his ethos contradict themselves with un-Holden-like gestures of 'coolness' and materialism. No wonder Salinger 'pukes', as he might put it, at his cult following, ALMOST the antithesis of what he was trying to promote.(PR)I met a girl outside a nightclub with an American accent. "Have you read 'The Catcher in the Rye'?, I asked. "Yes!!!!", she replied, "I spent a time being in love with Holden Caulfield!". I was pleased, but then she tried to shake my hand in a stylised 'cool' manner. I tried to respond but failed...oh...but she turned on me; "Hey, get with it, man!", and walked off, not annoyed, but none too impressed...the point is 'The Catcher in the Rye' is a comment on society. It is densely planned but sounds like the simply written diary of a complicated, compassionate, emotional person. It is hilarious and tragic, the author engaging one in a seemingly non-technical rollercoaster of truth, of the way life should be and the way people could be. There is no effect of Salinger distancing the reader with any form of over-stylised excess. Holden is talking TO you, not at you. He becomes the reader's friend.(PR) This is no adolescent book: it is universal and for anybody who has sense and compassion enough to understand: the adolescent eyes of Holden Caulfield are used simply as a means of making the point: he hasn't enter the world so his plight becomes more powerful. He doesn't want to because he is more mature...ironically.(PR) The Vespers of wit clothe the more sombre truth in a short, to-the-point novel, written by a perfectionist with no frills, about a man who so longs for an escape route from imperfection. Joseph Zachary Humphries ([e-mail]),Bolton, England.

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Summary: Freedom of speech? What?
Review: All I can say is thank you, "freedom of speech". What's that I hear? "What is this 'feedom of speech' of which you write?" Ahh, I could tell that most of you 1-rating reviewers had never heard the term. I apreciate the intelligent negative commentary; I didn't love the book myself. But those who say it shouldn't be taught because it's "vulgar language" shouldn't be allowed to "poison another child's mind" oviously don't know any children. Children, I hate to say it, can be the most visciously cruel and vulgar things on the planet... The Catcher in the Rye is quite mild compared to some of the things that I have heard out of the mouths o' babes. I guarantee that the average fifth-grader (there are OF COURSE exceptions) knows at least as many "dirty" words as you do. What else could a child be "poisoned" by? The insanity here adressed? Oh look, the prevailing American attitude once again rears its ugly head: if we ignore it it will go away. Sorry, welcome to the real world. Lets not pretend we're doing kids a favor by keeping them ignorant. And, as I said before, don't assume that kids don't already know about these things. They do, especially by the age that a child reaches the reading level necessary to read this book.

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Summary: Full of ironic twists. really makes you think differently.
Review: Many of the people who read the book don't understand the meaning. Not only is it an enteraining piece of literature, but Salinger is showing the life of a "seemingly everyday teenager", but the reader realizes there is nothing normal about Holden. Holden's hatred of "phoniness" turns out to be an ironic twist as his whole life has been a farce and he cannot come to grips with the truth. He cannont bear to realize that innocence is something that is meant to be lost.

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Summary: a great classic, banned or not
Review: this has to be my favorite book of all time!!! the way Salinger describes Holden Caulfield's journey through adolescent life is extrordinary. Salinger makes you feel like you are right in the action!!! this is a definite MUST READ.

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Summary: Um, its OK
Review: After reading all these reviews, I don't know what to think. You could write a book on just the REVIEWS of this book. Its no Lord of the Flies, but its ok. And to all the parents out there offended by the book, spend a day at your kids school, and you'll find Holdens "vulgar" vocabulary mild and infantile in comparison to the average student...or teacher.

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Summary: Holden; The ramblings of a mad man
Review: Review by Michael Sullivan

This book was one of the most effective that I have ever read. I felt like I too was losing my mind after seing the world in the same way Holden does. I looked around me and saw the phony values and the "Fuck you"'s written on the walls. I felt like I was Holden when I was walking around seeing people. It scared me that someone who sees the world like I do cracked.
I am going to read it again. e-mail me with your comments! Good or Bad.

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Summary: An very entertaining book -- I couldn't stop laughing.
Review: I was talking to someone who read the book and she mentioned the fact that she was very depressed after having read the book. I suppose I can understand where she is coming from, as there are many potentially depressing parts in the book, but I myself found the book much more humourous than depressing. I, too, laughed out loud at certain parts. Holden Caulfield is simply a very humourous character. Although I don't identify much with the main character, I find that, after reading the book, I am starting to talk like him. I really am. Okay, that was a bad joke. Anyway, I would not recommend the book to anyone who is very young, as there IS a lot of coarse language. However, I find it interesting that so many people condemn the book for its language, while a major part of the book, in my opinion, is dealing with telling people how absurd the obscenity in our world is. After all, near the end of the novel, Holden (although he swears a lot himself, which is another interesting point) gets quite angry at all the profane writings he sees on the walls of various buildings. In any case, although I think some of the coarse language in the book could have been avoided, I would recommend the book to anyone who is old enough and who has a good sense of humour. J. D. Salinger paints a vivid (and usually bleak) picture of the world that many people have never seen before, and a glimpse at it, as well as a good laugh, might do them good.

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Summary: All Teens Can Relate To This Book If They Care.
Review: I think this is an excellent book which reviews the lives of pretty much every teen. If everyone in the world takes the time to analyze the people around them they will realize everyone has been or is a phony. Holden continuously looks around at everyone in the book and sees that he doesn't really fit in but the reason for this is because he's normal. He acts like himself and no one really accepts that. Everyone is phony because they want to feel they are liked by someone and that they fit in with the rest of the world so they feel they can't really act like themselves. I realized this just before I had started to read this book and found out I'm not the only one who feels that way. I myself tried to fit in but I have now realized how full of it people are and this book has helped me to realize I can act like myself and if someone has a problem with that, that's just a problem they'll have to live with. J.D. Salinger is and excellent writer and I'd like to thank him for writing this book.

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Summary: A very good, and deep book
Review: I think that at first, this book might just seem like any other book, but for school I had to make an analysis of the book. I soon discovered that their are tons of hidden meaning, and hidden messages that might not be found if you read the book once through. Holden is a lost boy who only really likes children because of their innocense.

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Summary: one of my all-time favorite books, have read it 3 times.
Review: Far and away, Salinger's best book, about a boy who goes to New York City and has many eccentric adventures. I often read this book when I need a good laugh.