The Catcher in the Rye

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Customer Reviews:

beautiful and eye opening [Posted on 2008-11-26]
I read this book in summer school, probably when i myself was holdens age in the book. Its about a repressed " trustfund kid", who has a bitter cynical view of his friends and everything i guess he should like. But there are a set of events that change things, and open i think from my opinion anyhow holdens feelings. I think its an exceptionally great book, with important life lessons. And show you that sometimes these crappy things you feel that consume your life, really arent so big and looming compare4d to others things. And if you dont let them continue to be...i recommend it. I think its great

Rife with symbolism, foreshadowing and irony; couldn't wait to see how it ended [Posted on 2008-11-29]
This is the first 300-page book I've ever read in one sitting -- and I'm not a big novel reader. I just couldn't wait to see how it ended. There is so much symbolism in the book, you almost need an algorithm to keep track of it.

So, why is this an American classic? Do you other reviewers even need to ask? This is literature at its finest. The writing is excellent -- try to remember that books were not written in this conversational tone in 1951. The genius of this book is that the author is talking directly to the reader through Holden Caulfield! YOU are the psychoanalyst! This is what most people (and reviewers) overlook about this novel. The burden is on the reader to (gradually) figure out the protagonist's pathology -- just like a real psychologist would.

Other reasons this is an American classic: the masterful use of foreshadowing, irony and symbolism.

I won't ruin it for you if you haven't read it, but go get it and read it. Buy it on a Friday, though, since you probably won't be able to put it down until you finish it.

Greatly Disappointing [Posted on 2008-12-02]
I had high hopes for this apparent classic by J.D. Salinger. Like everyone else, I had heard immense praise for the book, and was expecting an American classic such as To Kill a Mockingbird. I was extremely disappointed. I would venture as far to say that it is one of the worst books I've ever read. For starters, there is no plot. The book is just a haphazard collection of stories that are mostly insignificant and confusing. I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen, but it never did. Holden just kept wandering and doing the same thing over and over. Another point, the book is ridiculously and unnecessarily repetitive to the point that I wanted to rip the book to shreds. Every time I read the word "phony", "madman", "crazy", or the like made me angrier and kept me wanting to get the book over with. Also, the way Holden talks about "giving old Jane Gallagher a buzz" (and then never doing it) about 100 times adds to the frustration (he calls almost everyone "old"...). I do see the meaning behind this book, and the symbols, but that does not make up for a poorly written, boring book. The use of language, the endless repetition, and the lack of plot truly disappointed me. In my opinion, this book is not worth a read.

Totally Lost [Posted on 2008-12-02]
Several times I have tried to read this book and just couldn't focus. I know, I am supposed to read it and like it. But it sure missed it's mark with me.

I recall nothing of my youth that even resembled this. Nor anyone I knew resembled this.

To me, this book is pretty much some 60 year old lady's view of what she'd have thougth a teenage boy's life was like.

Anyway, what a waste of my time forcing this down much like having to eat brussel sprouts as a kid (as a matter of fact that's closer to most kid's youth than this book)

A Classic What? [Posted on 2008-12-03]
I'm not sure what I expected with The Catcher in the Rye, but it was a lot more than what I received.

Going into the book, I knew little to nothing about the book except that it was a classic and Holden was supposed to be an icon. Maybe it is the fact that I'm 20 years past being a teenager, maybe it is that I got lost in the lingo of the 50s and maybe I just believed the hype too much, but I was severely disappointed. I did not like Holden in any way shape or form. I thought he was a whiner and the biggest phony of the bunch. I had no trouble with the drinking, or smoking or cussing, I just did not like him and can not recommend this book.

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