Rating: 
Summary: A sophmore perspective...41 gorgeous blocks
Review: I'd heard this book was being banned for 'inappropriate material' and, of course, I had to find out why. Holden's angsty tendancies, but subtle humor kept me turning the pages. It was actually the first book I read in two days...wowzas! It provides an insightful, but satirical, outlook on the world of a teenager growing up with no answers. The symbolism, the plot, the overall aspect makes it an instant classic and my favorite book so far.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing to say the least.
Review: As with the beginning of any good book, (whether fiction or other), you begin to familiarize yourself with the characters and start to search for the underlying plot or story, if it's not already known, and then as that story begins to unfold, you continue to read with great anticipation and expectation for some kind of climactic conclusion which brings meaning and understanding to all that has preceded it, constituting a comedy, a tragedy, a mystery, a success, a failure, a moral statement, etc., or some combination thereof. The Catcher in the Rye exhibits essentially none of these qualities and leaves the reader confused - feeling that he/she has failed to grasp some symbolic meaning behind the story (when, in fact, there is none)- and longing for closure.The whole story revolves around a two or three day period (staged around the 1940's-1950's) out of the life of Holden Caulfield, a cynical, pessimistic, negativistic, complaining teenager who doesn't have even the slightest sense of direction in his life. You quickly learn to dislike this disturbed youth and wish to counsel him, which would probably be as much of a waste of time as it was reading this book. How on earth this book has come to be known as a Classic I don't understand. There are so many good books in this world - don't waste your time with this bad one!
Rating:
Summary: My all time fave
Review: Before I got past the first page of this book, I was hooked. While some of these reviews tend to identify Holden as a stereotypical teenager, and teen angst ridden, I knew right away he wasn't stereotypical. Most teenagers wouldn't worry as much as he would. Most of his comments aren't angry as much as down right honest. This book centers around the theme of a guy trying to save innoncence, and his refusal to see that it's impossible. Funny thing is, most of the people that write him off as whiny are the very people that Holden is against.
Rating:
Summary: I Just don't get it
Review: I had to read this book for high school a couple of years ago and painfully read every page. I just didn't get what all the big hype on this book was about. Personally I hate depressing novels and music. So this one really turned me off. From the first page I was bored. I really don't know why Holden (the main character) didn't go see a Psychologist (but yet, he manages to see a prostitute instead. Go figure), cause he certainly needed to! Page after page I had to read about his troubles and horrible life. Swear word after swear word. I wonder after reading this how many times one can use the word "Lord"! I really feel sorry if you have to buy this book for required reading. And I just don't get why this is considered a "Classic"...personally if there is a book that portrays *correctly* the life of teenagers then I would definatly reccomend "A Seperate Piece" over this jumble of words any day. "The Catcher in the Rye" is like listening to a therapy session and should be left on the shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: 'salright
Review: Not too wonderful... Halfway through I found myself thinking "So What!" Overrated...
Rating:
Summary: Whiner in the Rye
Review: I read this book when I was about 14 or 15 and I just re-read it at the age of 48, thinking I probably would get more from it now that I'm older. I didn't. I am an educator and I can't help but wonder why in the world this book is on so many recommended reading lists. There are scores of much better written and more worthwhile books. Try reading "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," for instance. I can't help but wonder if "Catcher" was part of Salinger's journal at some point. It sure didn't take any stretch for him to create the plot, setting, or characters in this novel.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone needs to read this book
Review: i have always heard about this book but never actually read it. then one day my junior year in HS i saw it lying somewhere under a seat and decided why the heck not? so i took it...after reading this book in two days i fell in love and decided to keep it. the only thing that upsets me is that the cover is plain and boring yet the story behind it isnt at all. i have read this book many times over and over and it is the best classic i have ever read. i recommend this book to everyone. Holden Caulfield is one character you wont forget.
Rating:
Summary: The book that spawned a stereotype
Review: How ironic that a book that was once hailed for boldly exposing the stereotypes of our world has now become one itself. The moody, rebellious teenager, bored with the world after a decade and a half of living, stops going to school and wanders the urban wasteland in search of himself. Catcher might have been the original, but it's now one of millions of copycat teen-angst novels. The writing may be a little better than the modern hollywoodized versions, but the subject matter is old hat today. For a typically rebellious teenager, it might be a refuge; for me, it was kind of depressing. I expected more than a whiny kid.
Rating:
Summary: A Somewhat Misguided Look at Adolescence
Review: I will not summarize A Catcher in the Rye. I presume that everybody knows what the story is about. This story presents the essence of adolescence -- a view of the world through the eyes of Holden Caulfield. This view is bitter, cynical and thoroughly idealized. This is something that I thoroughly contest. Salinger uneccessarily caracatures teenagers as irresponsible, maturity-hating spoofs
Rating:
Summary: Read it first without the reviews
Review: I think that part of the reason people can hate this book so much is because they began with a preconceived notion of what it was already about. I read it with barely any knowledge on it - I knew it was a famous classic, but I didn't know anything as to its plot or characters or adolescent cynicism, and it turned out to be one of the best books I've ever read. Not because I felt like Holden Caulfied was a great guy or my friend, I probably couldn't stand him as a friend. He's a jerk and as moronic as he states he is. Nor because of the plot - it's not that it lacks one, but that the plot can't proceed because Caulfield is too paralyzed emotionally and mentally to push forward. He just gives up all together. It's great because it gives you a chance to see the world through in a different way. It's that, if you ever wanted to know what life would be like if you just gave up, this book gives you a chance to explore that world in great depth, in the most extreme way, as opposed to the idiotic-American-Pie, mushy-teen-coming-of-age-romance way. And there is a sort-of plot, and there is some heart to it, especially in the scenes where Holden's with his little sister. It's almost adorable.
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