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Summary: Get caught with this one!
Review: ... Catcher in the Rye is a wonderful piece of literature that is easy to read, funny and wise. I loved it!While not very plot-driven, Catcher in the Rye tells the story of 16-year-old Holden Caulfield, a cynical, jaded teenager who is expelled from boarding school for his bad grades and lack of classroom attendance. The story spans the two days after leaving his school and follows Holden on his journey home via hotels, bars, and bus stations. And while the premise of the story doesn't sound like much, reading this book was a lot of fun and some may even being able to identify with Holden's attitude toward life. Having read this for the sheer pleasure of it, I'm now pondering the reasons Catcher in the Rye has reached its "classic" status. Possibly it broke new ground with all of its cursing and sex-talk, which was most likely unheard of in the 40s, much less from a novel written through the point of view of a teenager. Whatever the reason is, undoubtedly readers will have fun with this novel and will find intelligent topics of discussion regarding its contents. A must read for every book fanatic. One of the best classics I've read.
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Summary: Loss of Innocence
Review: "The Catcher In The Rye," by J.D. Salinger is a book that targets the trials and hardships American teens face before they are hurled into the frightening world of adulthood. The book is filled with underlying implications and symbolism that keeps one in suspense as to what will happen next.
In the begining of the story, one is unsure of the characters' location or who he is speaking to. The main character, Holden Caulfield, has just been expelled from yet another boarding school and he is telling the entire story from his rather negative perspective. He is on his way back to his home in New York when he makes a few startling discoveries about his life. He ponders where the ducks go when the pond in central park freezes over and why things are constantly changing. He thinks about his brother that passed away and he wishes he could save children about to make their great change into adulthood. He realizes that he is not ready for the life ahead of him. He also realizes that his younger sister is still trapped in a world of innocence and fears for her as she inches towards the world of adulthood.
Throughout the story, Holden is having many conflicts. He has conflicts with society and authority figures as well as within himself. He has a problem with any person with power over his life. He feels they are phony and has no respect for them. Within himself, he seems to feel out of control. He feels unable to change the course his life has begun to take. "The Catcher In The Rye," is a book that is hard to put down. It makes one think about the story on a symbolic level. It reminds us all of our own loss of innocence and journey out of childhood and into adulthood. The story takes a teenage boy through his own feelings of such issues as love, loss, sex, grief, depression, affection, and need for attention.
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Summary: Read it again - as an adult!!
Review: I remember reading this book when I was in high school, but many years have passed since then. My own kids recently were assigned this book for their own literature class, and I decided to pick it up and re-read it. Wow!! This book is awesome. I got a lot more out of it now, as an adult, and it put me in better touch with some issues that kids face when they reach that point in their lives where they are expected to make a life transition. I would NEVER forbid my kids from reading this book. It is very insightful and touching, and was even more powerful for me today than when I read it 30 years ago.
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Summary: Catcher in the Rye
Review: October 10, 2002
Catcher in the Rye Have you ever been kicked out of high school, but you still hadn't told your parents, and you don't want them to find out? So you go on a train to New York and take it from there? But you never thought ahead? Step into Holden Caulfield's shoes and find out.
This book The Catcher in the Rye is a book that has been censored through out the country. That doesn't stop it from being a good book though. This book has amazing writing and is a very good story. It is a good story because you can't that this might have really happened to someone; and it's also nice o get another's teenagers point view of a few things. This book might be a little offensive or inappropriate because this story is about a boy that is having a nervous break down. In addition this book has a lot of cursing.
This book is about a teenager boy that gets expelled from school before winter vacation. Before going to see his parent he takes a short vacation of his own to New York; but I wouldn't say it was the best action ever. During his vacation he has a nervous break down because he is so depressed about almost everything.
This book probably for someone that likes good writing and likes an adult adventure into New York. So if you don't mind the cursing and a little depression then this book is defiantly for you.
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Summary: A Coming of Age Novel
Review: This book tells the tale of a 16-year old boy, Holden Caulfield, who got expelled from prep school and throughout the book he seems to be looking for something, kind of like an aimless wander to find subtlety. It gave a new dimension to reading, with the narrator being more sagacious and cynical, as opposed to the more amaible narrators in previous books up to that time, and it realistically gives an accurate insighty to a cofused adolescent's life during a time of such confusion and experiences. It's definitely an honest and a no-holds-barred book, and it may be a stretch to say that this book is almost 'mandatory reading,' but it should definitely be read no matter who you are.
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Summary: What the...?
Review: What's the big fuss over this book? I was looking for "classics" and I kept hearing people rant and rave over this book, so I figured I should read it and maybe be enlightened or something. No such luck. As a matter of fact, I couldn't wait to get to the point of the book, which never seemed to come. It was so incredibly boring that I didn't even finish the book. I was bound and determined to do so, but I was losing my mind, reading this book. I had about enough of hearing Holden repeat himself on each and every topic, and hearing about "phonies". I could definitely have been better off reading something else. So, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
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Summary: More than just a rant...
Review: Underneath all his ranting and complaining, Holden reveals what society is today. Sell outs, corruption, all a very cynical view that disturbingly thousands of people agree with. This is an EXCELLENT book told through an extordinary character! It's a great book that many hold as the guide to being true to yourself. I absolutely loved this book, and it's definitely made me view society more thoroughly. Bottom line? Great book, must read.
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Summary: Give it a chance
Review: This is a great book. I am captivated and can't put it down. For those who reviewed it and called it boring, they need to understand that it is strictly a view of a character, not an actual story with a plot. they're true, but that's one of the reasons you'll love it, because it's so unique. Give it a chance, you won't be dissappointed.
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Summary: I was expecting better
Review: I am a 12 years old and decided to read this book this summer for some light summer reading. In school I am an extremely mature and excel reader so the maturity and length of the book did not bother me. I bought Catcher in the Rye in a school book order earlier this year. The book order said that Catcher in the Rye was a great book, and a wonderful returning classic. So I decided to order it. I started reading, about a few months after I bought it because of my busy schedule. But when I did start reading it, I was slightly dissappointed.The starting didnt really jump out at me at all. I actually had to force my self to go on. But I did, and I thought it was some what interesting, but not really. I only read half of the book, and then suddenly had an urge not to pick it up, and keep reading. Because... the plot of the book is not really focused and the boy (main character) in this book, is going through a time in his life where women are a larg topic to think about. I might recommend this book, to someone who can be and stay interested easily, and about the age range of 15 and up.
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Summary: Wonderful; Deeper than it Seems
Review: I love this book. I am a fifteen-year-old girl and I can really relate to the character of Holden Caulfield. He's headed toward a world that he doesn't want to live in; a world that he sees as phony and dangerous. He doesn't feel like he belongs. I found his comments to be funny and his flow-of-consciousness writing to be realistic. Some people see the constant cursing as bad writing, but it's not. It's realistic. That's the kind of person Holden is.
Many people find this book pointless and boring. What many don't understand is that this is a character-driven book, not a plot-driven one. And also, things are not as they seem. Because Holden is narrating, it's hard not to simply accept everything he says. But then we meet Phoebe, and Mr. Antolini, who point out where Holden could be wrong. It can be hard for the reader to understand that though, because Holden doesn't think he is wrong.
While there *are* bad and phony people in the world, Holden is wrongfully blaming everything on other people. He distances himself from everyone--it's sort of like a case of Social Anxiety Disorder, in a way. But he never comes out and says that. The reader has a responsiblity to analyze Holden, because he does not explain everything to them--he can't. Although he does go into great detail about certain events, items, and other people, he can't explain much about *himself*, and that makes it interesting. But it's a wonderful read, because it delves into the thoughts of a sweet, screwed-up kid who just doesn't understand how to interact with people.
I think that if you were to read up on the subtle hints and character analyses in this book, you will find that it's much deeper than it appears during the re-read.
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