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Summary: The Greatest First-Person Novel Ever Written
Review: ... Simply put. Read it at least once a decade, if not once a year. All first-person narratives pale in comparison to Salinger's cynical watershed. The only bad thing about this book is that it doesn't make you feel any better about your own place in this world; that is, if you happen to be one of the many who see lies and corruption everywhere they turn. It will, though, give you peace in the knowledge that you are not alone.
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Summary: I don't see what the fuss is about
Review: After years of hearing how this books was so controversial, I read it. It has no plot, it goes no where. At the end you are left wondering. I just do not see how this book ranks in the top of modern classics. It is the story of a typical teenage in the 90's but written in the 60's.Maybe it was controversial then, not now. Clayton
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Summary: The Definition of Teenage Wasteland
Review: Many books attempt to please everyone and get nowhere. This book isn't out to please anyone, but ends up being the single best examination of the teenage psyche ever written. Emotional and heartfelt without ever lapsing into easy nostalgic sentimentality or jaded bitterness, author Salinger manages to capture that shook-up confusion, alienation, and contempt all of us felt or feel or will feel at the age of 16. The pent up rage inescapable when a young person wrestling with their nascent individuality first crashes headlong into the stifling realization that they're living under someone else's rules rings achingly true. Holden Caulfield's miniature Odyssey of pain, humiliation, exasperation, and ultimately revelation is fraught with moments of purest beauty and insight. It's everybody's personal, bewildering journey of self-discovery in a strange world thrust upon them, distilled into a supremely affecting novel. Fictive in name only, Holden's moment of truth, when he consciously has to decide once and for all with no turning back between childhood's happy ignorance and the uncertainty, fear, and anxiety that comes with the territory of adulthood is wrenching, excruciating magic. This is art. Talking about it is insufficient and cumbersome; like life itself, this book must be experienced to have any meaning. Everyone will get something different out of Catcher, but rest assured that you will be altered. It's that powerful. The slang and clothes of teenagers may change, but the attitude, circumstances, and emotions don't, and this is what makes Catcher timeless and required.
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Summary: Would make a better short story
Review: Okay, we'll do the good stuff first. "Catcher" has an easy to read style that is quite unique. The reader really gets into Holden's head. And Holden is a truly believable person. However, he is not at all a typical teenager. He's a teenager on the brink of an emotional breakdown. And Salinger really convinces you of that. What's annoying about this book is the complete lack of a plot. Modern readers expect a book to have a beginning, a middle and an end. I understand that not every great book has to have a well-defined plot, but this one doesn't even have a loosely defined plot. Holden leaves school and wanders around New York for a few days, slowly getting crazier and crazier. The style of the book is wonderful, but it would have made a much better short story.
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Summary: American Classic (and it's easy to read!)
Review: Holden Caufield is a young man who doesnt always fit in. He's no loser, but he's not the life of the party either. The book follows his search to find his place in life. As boring as it sounds, he has all the awkward moments you've ever encountered as an angst ridden teen (remember high school?).
The overwhelming angst isnt quite as annoying as it is inspiring. He's going through everthing you had to deal with when you were that age. We're not all that different and it's ok to feel all the stupid things you feel. If you want to read a more grown up version of this genre, take a look at Jack Kerouac's "On the Road". Also highly recommended.
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Summary: Perhaps the Original "Coming of Age" Story
Review: Using the stream of consciousness writing style, J.D. Salinger tells the story of a 16-year-old boy who's just been booted out of his school in upstate New York, and who is attempting to get back home to New York City. The entire book takes place over a matter of a few days, describing Holden Caulfield's journey down to the city, and his observations of its' seedy underside. While the story is depressing at times, this should be no suprise given that it describes the life of an adolescent. It also shows the naivite and hopefullness of youth; for example, Holden continually takes issue with those who might do harm to children. As you will see if you've not yet read it, this is where the title of the book comes from. The book is probably most known, however, for the cynical side that Holden shows. In his travels, he is not slow to point out "phonies" and other people who he deems to be superficial. It is the perfect combination of cynicism, hope, and despair that make Holden seem like the quintessential teenager. This is perhaps why The Catcher in the Rye is a favorite of high school aged kids, and why many adults read the story with a fond rememberance of when they were that age. If you're wondering why the book has a history of being banned, you will probably be suprised to see how tame the story is. There are a few uses of the f-word, and other slight references which people didn't take too kindly in 1951 (such as a brief mention of a cross-dressing man). Through today's eyes, one would be hard-pressed to find something that would merit the censorship of the Catcher in the Rye. It is a brilliant, extremely accurate tale of a typical teenager trying to find his place in the world. It is a model, both for the stream of consciousness style, and for the many copy-cats that have attempted to figure out how J.D. Salinger made the story so darned convincing. It is quite possibly the best coming of age story ever created.
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Summary: The Catcher In The Rye
Review: Reading The Catcher In Rye is like looking into the soul of each and every one of our lives at one point in time. J.D. Salinger was able to capture the poignancy of a teen's life in its purest form. The main character, Holden Caulfield, was facing expulsion of yet another boarding school, which he attended in Pennsylvania. With a bad attitude that plagues most sixteen year olds, Holden must try to come to terms with the loss of his younger brothers death. Not knowing what to do next, Holden's journey leads him to New York City where he would be as inconspicuous as a leaf falling in the autumn night.
Just as Holden had done, each and every one of us wants to grow up all too quickly. However, we tend to miss out on what growing up is all about. Innocence. The author depicts this when Holden is trying to persuade a local bar keep to serve him alcoholic beverages. Although the book was written over fifty years ago, many teens can still relate to Holden's trials and tribulations. J.D. Salinger used a style of writing that is easy to comprehend.
The Catcher In The Rye is a highly recommended book, which will question ones adolescent life through the eyes of another. Despite the fact that the author gives an overall feeling of cynicism toward the world, one must not delve into the mind of Holden. If one inadvertently does so, then the world becomes a dim one.
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Summary: Realism at its very best
Review: I have never met a character as real as Holden Caulfield before this book. The main character literally speaks to you (in first person) about his struggles, fears, likes, dislikes and reveals so much about himself that you end up rooting for him. In a nutshell, the story revolves around the everyday goings-on of a fifteen-year-old school dropout. You may be tempted to discredit the plot/story line as mundane, but let me assure you that this book has so much more to offer. Some may find Salinger's portrayal of the angst-ridden youth a tad whiny and frustrating, but that's just part and parcel of growing up. The author paints this brilliantly - emphasizing that the road to self-discovery can be a frightful, lonesome experience. And all this, in Holden's very own words. Very candid, very real. Personally, I could identify with a lot of the observations Holden made about himself as well as others (he once called himself a yellow chicken because he hated fist fights). Salinger also splashes the book with ample humor, making this one of the more memorable reads I've had. Overall, "The Catcher in the Rye" is a brutally honest book - one that peers into the soul of anyone who's still searching for a direction in life, whether you're fifteen or fifty. Read it, you won't regret it.
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Summary: Holden on to dear life...
Review: I suppose before writing this review I have to remind myself not to use the word grand...Anyway, Catcher in the Rye is an excellent book. Period. That is, if you simply look at Salinger's skillful treatment of pacing, dialogue, and characterization. Teenagers though, will see much more. Salinger writes an incredibly believable Holden Caulfield, who has since become the posterboy for adolescent angst. Either Catcher is Salinger's quasi-autobiography or he's "the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life." The book is not astonishing for its moral, but for its lack of one (too phony for Holden, and would've undermined the reader's genuine connection to him). Its just this young guy looking for innocence, for honest emotion. Catcher in the Rye isn't a collection of empty platitudes and universal philosophy. Its a breath of fresh air that will leave you more in touch with yourself and a little better for having read it. All in all, it was a phenomenal book and one I hope you will add to your personal library.
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Summary: Uh.....good book
Review: I liked this book cuz the guy who tells the story is funny because his thoughts just trail off sometimes. This book has ALOT of swearing so if that bothers you, you wont like it. But overall its a good story.
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