Rating: 
Summary: Humorous and Insightful
Review: Extremely humorous.I often found myself laughing out loud while reading the book,and extremely insightful The lead character makes some very insightful observations about the shallowness of adolecent social life I loved it and couldnt put it down A book anyone anyone who has experienced a difficult adolescense can relate to-even looking back ten years after my teens have passed And whats more-its hard to believe this book was written 50 years ago
Rating:
Summary: Generation Whatever
Review: I'm reading this novel for my English Literature coursework, and find that Holden is just representing every generation after him. We all go through some form of not understanding ourselves and he represents that, even though he can deem misunderstood. For a girl reading this, he reminds me of some shy guy who sits quietly in class wishing he was somewhere else, somewhere larger than life, soemwhere he can do something without being used or bullied. However, like me and a few million other young people he can't because society won't let him. That's why he's so weird and philosophical, he wants out of the 'phony' life people box him into.He is probably trying to tell all the corporate investors that he dos'nt want to be spoon fed into society. If anything I feel sory for him because I can relate, but then he can also be abstract and not really give you anything. Because of this his real truth is underneath his pride, or his lack of asteem, so in turn he seems superficial and lacking something. He's complex with the contridictions, so his character is deeper than a whiny little kid. This can sometimes be misunderstood, as just the weirdest guy ever, but he just does'nt know what's out there for him. He's scared of himself, and what is ahead, which is true of all of us. Apparently Salinger had to study young people for the character of Holden, rather than writing form his own point of view. It works, however many of our older generations tend to disregard our intergrity, in a way Salinger did not.
Rating: 
Summary: so easy to read
Review: This book had me from the first page. It was a pleasure to read. I found it funny, sad and interesting. What most intrigues me about this book is its lack of traditional model. there is no build-up, climax, and conclusion. It just is. Except for some strange terms used by the speaker, it is difficult to imagine that it was written so long ago. There are some memorable scenes from this book that will no doubt stay with me. I was very taken with the main character's sarcasm, wit and innocence.
Rating:
Summary: A Salinger fan defends
Review: I just read a bunch of other reviews talking about how boring this book is, and how it's just full of complaining, has no plot, etc. To me, that is the beauty of this book. I can read it over and over and still love it because my attraction to it isn't based on "what's going to happen next," which wouldn't really encourage multiple readings. After reading every word Salinger has written, I just sit back and revel his genius. He has created a character who is almost a real person, with miles of background to his life and every thought leading to another. I often go for the great plot-twist too, but maybe I'm strange in that I prefer a different style; I would take something that I can understand and connect with that moves me with its honesty over an exciting suspense-type story anyday. This is the sort of thing that lingers over time because there is so much more beneath it.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: The Catcher in the Rye is a very entertaining book. It was an easy read and very realistic. It tells of Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has just been kicked out of a boarding school and tells of those he comes in contact with. He humors the reader throughout the book and I recommend this book for anyone who needs a good read!
Rating:
Summary: Can't your friend talk? He ain't my friend. He's my brudda.
Review: I read this, I think, as a teenager and I don't remember being all that impressed then. But now that I'm 40-something upon re-read I can see why it's a classic. Catcher in the Rye is VERY funny, cynical, honest, and, well, alot like I felt when I was a teenager. Yes, the main character (Holden Caulfield) tends to repeat himself but that's intentional. The book is written as an on-going narrative and it works--flowing naturally. It's as if someone is sharing his thoughts, with their attendant depth and idiosincrasies, only more articulate and easier to digest. Holden describes in fine detail his relationship with various teachers, his parents, his sister, other kids at school, girls, New York city, and society at large. Unfortunately, all the phonies Holden mentions are still alive and proliferating. So don't just chuck this book away. Give it a read. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: What the Hype is all about - -to those who hated Catcher
Review: What the Hype is all about - -....It is necessary for the story to take flight that Holden is a spoiled loser. This is because it would add context to his cynical ness. The main theme of the novel was trying to save children (like Caulfield once was) from making poor choices, being exposed to the "phony" and terrible influences that Holden criticizes yet seems to revel in, and ultimately end up like Holden himself. That, I believe, is a proper excuse for how everything in the novel is criticized and scrutinized by Caulfield, a pampered underachiever. I believe that the entire novel was well written to support that theme. Those who were disappointed by Catcher, I believe, also were unimpressed by "To Kill A Mockingbird" and "This Boy's Life". Though the writing styles and character focus is different (Scout Finch is a young girl coming of age and Tobias Wolff is the kind of kid Holden would want to protect), the theme is explained and the plot is excused -if you read with concentration- in the title itself
Rating: 
Summary: Good example of how people exaggerate things.
Review: I'm a high school student and I guess it's uncommon that I haven't had to read "The Catcher in the Rye". I read it on my own because I've heard a lot about it. It was even mentioned in a movie, "Conspiracy Theory". I was disappointed to say the least. I did enjoy some parts, but I think all the hype about it being a classic and all got my hopes up. I frequently found myself trying to discover what the point of the book was. Holden was really just a lazy student who liked scotch. He wasn't unique or dynamic in any way. It's not bad if you have to read it, because then you're at least going to get credit for it.
Rating:
Summary: "CATCHER" Still #1 after 40+ Years
Review: I first read CATCHER IN THE RYE in 1965. Since then I've read it over a dozen times. Back then, I never thought I'd ever find a higher quality novel. Almost a thousand books later, it's a No Brainer, Catcher is still "the high water mark of American literature" the best novel ever. One tiny example: the abuse of Jane Gallagher by her father. Salinger says enough in just three words to convey a bone-chill and water the reader's eyes. Time after time, page-after-page he grabs the reader in the gut and won't let go. Filled to the brim with insightful positive ideas, simple humanity, embraced now by three generations. ONE TIDBIT: The name Holden Caulfield was taken from a NY movie marque for Paramount's "DEAR WIFE" starring William HOLDEN and Joan CAULFIELD. >> HOLDEN CAULFIELD.
Rating: 
Summary: a book that is the epitomy of absolute boredom!
Review: I was made to read this book for my English literature class. I hated it after the first few pages. This Holden seem to be on 'the road to nowhere'. He wants to tell us something and then doesn't. This person is lost! The book is extemely subjective and broken like glass. He decides to do something, but does not really think of its consequences...no wonder he gets expelled! I read this book as a teenager (16) and I still remember being made to stand up in front of my class to explain why I thought this book was/is CRAP! I thought that nothing this guy is thinking or doing is similar to my thoughts and that of my friends at the time. The book itself is written like it just wanders from one thing to another throughout these three days. There is a lack of thought to what he does. Especially the near miss with the prostitute. If he had stayed any longer in New York...God knows. I don't understand what being a 'catcher in the rye' can achieve someone in life. This led me to conclude that he is a total dreamer. However, his dreams are as careless as he is in life and this is reflected heavily in the book. What I have learnt over the years is that the guy who shot John Lennon had this book on him at the time of the killing.
|
