The Catcher in the Rye
by J. D. Salinger
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Book Reviews of The Catcher in the Rye
Book Review: Catcher in the Rye: universally relatable
Summary: 4 Stars
Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger is a story that can make anyone smile. The main character, Holden Caulfied, is a troubled teen that is yet again, expelled from another haughty boarding school. Holden cannot find the motivation to succeed in school because he feels he does not have a purpose. Why apply yourself if you don't know your place in life? Holden struggles with his inner-self, battling his own mind, and trying to understand his purpose in life as a teenage boy. Holden's difficulty in comprehending his place in the world as a young boy is what makes this story unviversally relatable.
After Holden is asked to leave Pencey High School after winter break [expelled], Holden ditches school early to take a little "vacation" to New York City; he packs and leaves by train in the hopes of enjoying himself before returning home to his parent's wrath. In the few days he spends in New York , he experiences the city's nightlife through strippers, bars, and night clubs. In contrast, he also spends his free time by revisiting his childhood, reuniting himself with old friends and visiting sentimental places. Holden seems to have a lot of friends, although it is obvious he is not confident about friendships. Holden degradingly numbers off girls throughout the story and therefore his character becomes bothersome. However most of the time it is very easy to sympathize for Holden as he is in deep distress, and he feels that he is surrounded by a bunch of "phonies". No matter who he associates himself with, whether it is an old friend or a stripper, he feels out of place. The more Holden observes and aquaints himself with humankind in New York City, the more he realizes he is different, and the more he feel like he is without purpose. His inner-struggles and battling of the mind eventually peaks causing for a catchy ending. However, the author does not fill the ending with detail and it can be very frusterating.
Over all, this book was easy to relate to, it was funny, and it was happy and sad all at the same time. Salinger's writing is humorous...but it is not forced humor. He often incorporated spontaneous wit, humor that is not necessarily "obvious". For example, the laughter that come from dealing with an awkward roomate. The struggles that Holden Caulfield went through could be applied to anyone's life as a high school student, and being able to follow Holden through his journey of discovery makes this book relevant and dear to any reader's heart.
Book Review: Before there were BLOGs...
Summary: 3 Stars
..I wonder if every teenager had a journal or a diary. If they did, many of them probably read like "The Catcher in the Rye".
The first time I read this book I think I was about 14. It wasn't assigned, I just had heard about it and figured I'd read it... I almost felt I was "supposed" to read it because of what it was about. While I was able to relate to the book, it didn't blow me away or cause some kind of cathartic moment... I liked Vonnegut better and went back to his novels...
Now, 25 years later, I have read it again and have come to a realization. I don't really like the book, but I am not going to rant about it or even "blame" it. Here is why:
"The Catcher in the Rye" was written in the 40's and uses what would have been called "cutting edge" style and bad language from that era. It is commendable for this because it reflects the reality of youth and the pain and angst many teens experience. I also give Salinger kudos because the times I got irritated with Holden Caulfield it was because he just just being an irritating little bastard... and that is the genius I acknowledge - I wasn't pissed at Salinger for writing Caulfield in an irritating manner - I was pissed at Caulfield. The writing style and issues Salinger wrote about are universal in scope and many of the people who complain about the book bitch about the way Holden is acting - not even realizing that they are giving immense credit to Salinger while shredding his book. Seldom have I heard anybody say that what Holden is saying is unbelievable - they complain because he is a whiner... Get it?
It is not on my list of must reads for the simple reason that it read like much of the crap that I wrote.. and truth be told - if you go online and start reading BLOGs, you can see many of the angsty observations and rants Caulfield gives on a million different pages. Catcher came out at a time where there was very little discussion about what teenagers thought or felt then BAM!!! there it was. That is why it achieved "Classic" status - because it was and is a book that blew past the conventions of the day.
Maybe I missed the "ideal" age to read this work, I am not sure. Maybe it affects people it is supposed to. I won't call it "crap" like some of the other people, but I sure as hell will not call it "life changing." It is a book that I recommend people read because it might have a big impact, but it missed the mark with me.
Book Review: Thrower in the Rye
Summary: 2 Stars
Thrower in The Rye
The Catcher in the Rye was J.D. Salinger's most famous novel. It is a mildly entertaining novel about an emo boy who is a hater. His name is Holden Caulfield. The story follows his journey through out New York City. He got kicked out of school a couple days before Christmas break, and decided not to go home for a couple days. So he was alone in the city. He encounters lots of people and gets involved in some weird situations. This book was banned at one time because they thought it has a bad influence on people.
This book had no influence on me because I thought that it was boring, and I had a hard time getting in to it. The author describes a lot of really boring details. Also Holden says "corny" and phony almost every other line, it is really annoying. There is no main issue that the author addresses. The story is told through Holden's eyes, and since he is a hater, he swears a lot. There is never a real good mood through out the story. It has a depressed mood most of the time. The purpose of the book is to just tell you the story of a sixteen year-old boy who is very troubled about almost everything, through his eyes.
The story mentions a few other characters. In the beginning he is with his roommates, Stradlater, and Ackley. He talks about a girl named Jane Gallagher a lot, but never gets together with her. Also he goes on a long date with a girl named Sally Hayes. But the second most important character in the book is his sister Phoebe. She is younger that him but really smart. He talks with her a lot, and spends most of the last part of the book with her. He also mentions his brothers Allie, who died and D.B. who is out in California. Holden briefly runs into other people, like a pimp, a couple of nuns, and an old English teacher.
The strength of the book in my opinion is Holden's personality, because it makes the story some -what interesting. The weakness I think is the plot. Nothing really happens, it is kind of boring when you think about. He just stays at a hotel for a couple of nights, gets a lot of cabs, calls some people, gets drunk, and talks to his sister. Also the word choice gets annoying because he says the same stuff over and over again. I would give it two and a half stars out of five, because it is some-what entertaining. I would recommend reading it if you needed a book to read for an assignment, but I wouldn't read it for pleasure.
Book Review: This is not the second coming of Lucifer, it's a book-- to all those God-fearing Christians who live in fear of this book
Summary: 5 Stars
You sad people who dislike this classic, gut-wrenching novel on the lone fact that your God tells you not to like it. Not all books have happy endings and not all books have to live up to the standards that 1000 bound thin, leafy pieces of paper told you are correct, moral, and just.
Holden Caulfield is the perfect example of an anti-hero, and a lovable one at that. The fact he isn't a God-fearing conformist like everyone who can't think for themselves doesn't mean you can't read the book. I read this book in my freshman year in High School and it was a very enjoyable, fun, and appropriate read. The fact the F word was used shouldn't come to much of a shock to you: 8/10 high school kids use the word as often as they say "umm" or "like." It is natural sewage spewing from their mouths, and the fact you don't think your children can take a few curse words in a book is a scary thought. I understand you are trying to raise your child in a holy and sin-free world but this is not the reality of the life she lives, I am quite sure of it, even though I don't even know them. You can't be protected forever, and if a book is the only thing to upset them, they is living a very calm and peaceful life.
You can't judge a book by it's language or by the fact there is no fairytale happy ending, and counting the swears is absolutely ridiculous and meticulous drudgery. Honestly-- turn off the Beauty and the Beast, put your handbook to life in your nightstand drawer for a second or hide under a rock so God can't see you read such a blasphemous novel, get past your stubborness (yes, I'm positive this book is the Devil's attempt to drag us all down to it's pitiful level, along with the murderer of John Lennon), give this book a clean slate, and read it. Only then can you judge it truthfully. (And if you have already read it once in all your anger, read it again the same way you would read any new book.) After you have read it, like it or not, you should read JD Sallinger's other book, Nine Stories. It's different than the Catcher in the Rye-- it dabbles a good amount in the field of post war life and shell shock. So please, give this book a chance, it's not sin-free and it does deal with foul language, prostitution (although the heinous crime of pre-marital sex is not committed, God forbid), drunkeness, and real-world situations... but isn't that the make up of life? It's not what you want it to be, it is what it is.
Book Review: concise work of genius
Summary: 5 Stars
Holden Caulfield has just been kicked out, yet again, of a preparatory school which his father, a hot-shot corporate lawyer, has selected for him. Holden is a pathological lawyer, he smokes like crazy, and he prefers the peak of his brand-new red hunting cap to be facing backward, not forward. Holden begins wandering around New York City, buying time before the date comes when his parents will be expecting him.
Such are the plot details, and the wonderful character painting, that this wonderful little novel unveils early in its course. The Catcher is a fast-paced and an easy read, two qualities which typically don't go along with works of literature. Is the Catcher a work of literature? The answer is an unqualified yes. Salinger has accomplished an amazing feat by relaying his story through the first-person narrative of our protagonist, and the writing is complete with Holden's idiosyncratic jargon and constant lacings of profanity. Yet what makes the writing so remarkable is that we know exactly what Holden is talking about it, even though his slang can be a little confusing at times.
Still, what makes this little gem a literary genius is not its exceptional writing, but its wide appealing cultural value. I think it would be immature and cliched to call this a "coming of age" book (even though it is one), or to talk about Holden's prototypical "teenage angst". In my opinion, this novel finds its far-reaching appeal because it speaks to the heart of us all. We all get discouraged (and even disgusted) by the faults that we see in society, and in human nature in general (for example, the "phoniness" which Holden sees as near ubiquitous). Nevertheless, all of us have to make decisions, just like Holden does, as to what direction we choose to walk in life.
A final note. I loved this book and found myself laughing out loud throughout many parts of the book. Nonetheless, I wouldn't be surprised if this novel isn't everyone's cup of tea. I suspect that some readers will have a tough time relating to some of Holden's observations (after all, those "phonies" that Holden constantly criticizes include us). In addition, Holden's cynical, near sourpuss attitude (along with his profanity) may be a turn-off to some. I still suggest that you at least give this novel a try.