Rating: 
Summary: Very good story in spite of a jerky main character
Review: I tried to read Catcher in the Rye a few years ago on my own and couldn't stand to finish it because I couldn't stand Holden Caulfield. I hate cynical people. But now I have to read it for my class on 20th Century Literature. From Holden's POV, ...everyone is "phony". Of course, it's okay if HE lies and deceives people and puts on an act. Holden Caulfiend, you're a g.d. phony! So there!Okay, so the book itself is a well-told story that gets into the feverish, dissatisfied mind of its 16-year-old protagonist. As a native New Yorker, I can identify with the feeling of familiar sites like Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and Central Park. I couldn't stand Holden's constant cynicism, and at Chapter 17, I myself wanted to punch his lights out. But in Chapter 22 I think I finally realized what he was looking for deep down inside--a reason to live, and the courage to live it. He expresses a desire to rescue people, but he's projecting--he's the one that needs rescue. I was actually starting to like the poor jerk. If a book can make you want to punch someone's lights out and then you feel sorry for him...hey, do I right now remind you of someone? I'm supposed to write a one-page response for class: is Catcher in the Rye a true bildungroman--a "novel of education" or "coming-of-age" story--or an anti-bildungsroman? Does Holden learn anything or not? I don't think he consciously learns much, but a seed is planted deep inside, in the soul, beyond intellectual understanding.
Rating:
Summary: I read this once a year
Review: Read this again and again: It keeps you sane in an insane world. -D
Rating:
Summary: excellent book, for all ages!
Review: Many people say that Holden is a cynical and bitter character; unrealistically negative in his views of the world, but as a teenager, i know how tough things can get, and how frustrating life can be. Although the storyline only stretches over a few days, it never lost my attention. Holden is a physically mature 16 year old, telling the story of 3 days in his life. It involves a young prostitute, many bars, women, girls, boys confined to a boarding school, and a young man, definately not a believer in the human race. Holden leaves his boarding school without permission, and spends the next three days almost wandering the streets of New York. Although not at all a major aspect of the novel, the fact that it was set in the forties appealed to me. We only really experience this with the date given, and when Holden goes to see a film with Cary Grant in it. A highly interesting and unique novel. It should be read by all!
Rating: 
Summary: kirby in georgia
Review: I had heard of this book for many years and was looking forward to a nice read.Wow was I disappointed. It has officially been placed on the top of my list for the books that were a waste of my time to read. I have never been so horribly disillusioned in a book before in my life. It's just a displaced, whineing, pathetic story of a teen with not an once of ambition or positive outlook on life in general. I only gave it a rating of one because there was not an option for zero.
Rating:
Summary: Holden is the best
Review: This has been one of my favorites. Every time I return to it, I always seem to find something more in it. Structurally, it is challenging. Although the vocabulary is simple, the repetition of symbolic imagery makes this a complex read on one level. Holden's fascination with ducks, museums, and even bathrooms is intriguing. But on a personal level, Holden gives voice to all the things that we once thought but found too dificult to face square on. For example, what happens to our loved ones when they die? What is the meaning of life or the point to living? I think part of his answer is that the connections we have with those whom we love, although temporary, is what keeps us motivated to live. We want to see and be with those who mean the most to us. We want to see them happy and their happiness is what makes us happy. It took Holden a long time to figure this out. He contemplates suicide, escape, and even undergoes a mental breakdown. But the ending to me is positive in the sense that he foregoes his unrealistic desire for an ideal world, one without evil, and accepts the bad in order to enjoy the good this world offers. This book inspires those who think life is meaningless and offers them something to value in a world that sometimes seems to lack any value.
Rating:
Summary: Confused teenager at the crossroads of life
Review: I have to admit, even if you don't like or connect with Holden Caulfield, this is an excellent read. Our confused teenager is trying to escape the responsibilities of modern society, and proving he is vulnerable along the way. Ironically, he sees himself as above the average man (or "phony", as Holden reiterates). I read this over two days - about the length of time of the story itself. I had trouble putting the book down, as Holden spiraled out of control, I kept wondering how it would end. Fortunately, he had two saviors - his younger siblings - one of which only being a fond memory. I am convinced his destiny was saved only when he woke up to the terrible life turn to which he was inspiring his sister. This is not a cheery book, but it is real drama, certainly not "phony".
Rating:
Summary: Groundbreaking
Review: A Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. salinger, is my one of my all time favorite books. I first read it in 8th grade, and i read it all in one day. i really couldnt put it down. some people say it drags on, but i think it builds up more and more. With each page Salinger takes you more and more into the world of Holden Caulfield. and In almost every way you can relate to this young man, or feel a sense or empathy because we have all been in similar situations to him. In no other time as anyone in literature fully described what its like to be filled with teenage angst. so check out this book if youve ever been a teenager.
Rating: 
Summary: Grown Up?
Review: I read this book in high school and in the same span of a few months had also read Momaday, Kerouac, Steinbeck, Harper Lee, and Hemingway to name only a few, all on my own, as I did Salinger. I was not impressed with "Catcher in the Rye" in the least. So it amazed me when at university, I was required to read more Salinger! He is a decent writer, MAYBE a good writer, but far from great. Salinger's manipulations always seemed overly meticulous (and thus, ultimately shallow) to me, and any meta-view of his work requires leaps of faith a literary agnostic like myself finds hard to make. I can see how certain teenagers might identify with Holden, but perhaps I was just too insecure and sincere to understand him then, and a bit too arrogant to buy into his spiel later. Hell, if Salinger could write with a bit more color and with a flair for language beyond just smart-alecky, we might be able to call him post-modern. Not exactly a complimentary label in some circles, but it would be a step above the post-pubescent one he holds now.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: I read this in one day, and I'm not a speed reader. It's a great novel. Salinger submitted it to the NEW YORKER hoping they would run the whole novel in their magazine. The NEW YORKER rejected it! What morons. That Holden. He's a mad man. Swear to God.
Rating:
Summary: don't by cliffs, READ THE BOOK!
Review: For all the high schoolers out there who dread reading those boring novels assigned by your English teacher and read cliffs or sparknotes instead, do not pass this book up. I read Catcher in the Rye my junior year in high school and to this day it is still one of my all time favorite books. I'm not an avid reader. In fact, I hate reading. I can't even stand reading those Hallmark cards that have too many words on them (ha ha). But when I picked this book up I could not put it down. I'm in college now, and I still have yet to find a book that I like better than this one. I was able to relate to the main character, and I enjoyed the bitter sarcism and dark humor. I never got bored reading his thoughts. However, I do caution people who get easily offended to read with an open mind. Many of my more conservative friends found the novel distastefull. So for all you teenagers who prefer to party instead of do homework and get an oral summary from the smart kid next you in math class, the period before Englsih, at least give this book a chance. BELIEVE ME, YOU'LL LIKE IT.
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