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alara43's review against another edition
1.0
This is not a bad book but I just couldn't get going with it and haven't managed to finish it.
lindseyzank's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the idea of this book: a teenage boy who is dying of leukemia is inspired by Holden Caulfield from Salinger's famous novel. The opening is strong, but the style seems to fall apart after a while and the voice that began the story is not the voice that ends it. I think the topic of parents who don't allow their children to have traditional medical treatment for illnesses like cancer is a timely one right now. Overall, this was a quick read that did not quite meet its potential.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
There may be spoilers, but perhaps not more than the back of the book itself + your own intellect...
Earlier this year, I had read a string of books that I didn't like much before picking up this one. I was almost afraid to hope that it would break my string of bad luck/choices/pickiness. Whew. String broken.
I really enjoyed this book. I had a trusty copy of Catcher in the Rye sitting next to me as I read it, wondering if I should be reading them in tandem, or rereading Salinger before beginning Honenberger. It turned out to not be necessary, as Honenberger's weaving of Holden's story is done with enough detail and link to the narrative that it all makes sense.
Daniel is a sympathetic character. He's wrapped up in the world of high school just when he has to be excluded from it. We learn that he has been diagnosed with a tricky form of leukemia, and his parents have refused conventional treatment. Having read the book Deadline by Chris Crutcher, which has a similar opening scenario, I was set for a ride. This was a completely different book however (and perhaps a completely different form of leukemia?). I don't pretend to be an expert on leukemia, but I thought it was generally one of the more fightable forms of cancer. My biggest problem with the book was that Daniel's liberal, hippie parents wouldn't talk to him about the reality of the situation. As Daniel's strength and physical wellbeing obviously deteriorate, I didn't understand why the parents were adamant to make this unconventional decision without trusting their son to be a part of the dialogue or understand what was happening to him. (In contrast, the narrator in Deadline is already 18, so he makes all the decisions without informing his parents...)
Overall though, I thought that Daniel was believable. I would have liked it if he had stood up to his parents early after his diagnosis, but I could see how he could be passive about it and believe they were doing the right thing for him. His relationships with peers were heartbreaking for different reasons. I loved Meredith and would love to read a book from her perspective. Mack is interesting too, especially because it is hard for Daniel to see things from Mack's perspective.
The ending of this book must have been quite a challenge. How to finish a story of a kid with cancer? I think she did a fine job managing all of the personalities and giving us readers a satisfying ending.
This was the first ARC I ever received for free through the Goodreads First Reads program. Bring 'em on.
Earlier this year, I had read a string of books that I didn't like much before picking up this one. I was almost afraid to hope that it would break my string of bad luck/choices/pickiness. Whew. String broken.
I really enjoyed this book. I had a trusty copy of Catcher in the Rye sitting next to me as I read it, wondering if I should be reading them in tandem, or rereading Salinger before beginning Honenberger. It turned out to not be necessary, as Honenberger's weaving of Holden's story is done with enough detail and link to the narrative that it all makes sense.
Daniel is a sympathetic character. He's wrapped up in the world of high school just when he has to be excluded from it. We learn that he has been diagnosed with a tricky form of leukemia, and his parents have refused conventional treatment. Having read the book Deadline by Chris Crutcher, which has a similar opening scenario, I was set for a ride. This was a completely different book however (and perhaps a completely different form of leukemia?). I don't pretend to be an expert on leukemia, but I thought it was generally one of the more fightable forms of cancer. My biggest problem with the book was that Daniel's liberal, hippie parents wouldn't talk to him about the reality of the situation. As Daniel's strength and physical wellbeing obviously deteriorate, I didn't understand why the parents were adamant to make this unconventional decision without trusting their son to be a part of the dialogue or understand what was happening to him. (In contrast, the narrator in Deadline is already 18, so he makes all the decisions without informing his parents...)
Overall though, I thought that Daniel was believable. I would have liked it if he had stood up to his parents early after his diagnosis, but I could see how he could be passive about it and believe they were doing the right thing for him. His relationships with peers were heartbreaking for different reasons. I loved Meredith and would love to read a book from her perspective. Mack is interesting too, especially because it is hard for Daniel to see things from Mack's perspective.
The ending of this book must have been quite a challenge. How to finish a story of a kid with cancer? I think she did a fine job managing all of the personalities and giving us readers a satisfying ending.
This was the first ARC I ever received for free through the Goodreads First Reads program. Bring 'em on.
brooksdac's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book prides itself as a “modern catcher in the rye”. I can see the comparison but I think the allusion to the book is forced and could have been incorporated a lot better. Fortunately, I liked catcher, caught much more than catcher in the rye. Being in Daniel’s head feels like listening to a teenage boy gripping with mature themes. The challenges he faces are too real and his reactions stem from inexperience. I did find the story to drag at times and the writing was young for me. A solid 3 star book
harbo101's review against another edition
3.0
I was disappointed at first--the book bills itself as a modern "Catcher in the Rye," and I'm not so sure it has earned that comparison. But somewhere around the middle of the book, I began to appreciate the story in its own right, and the characters had grown on me. One thing I am certain of is that I need to reread "Catcher in the Rye" now that I've finished Honenberger's attempt at paying homage to a classic.
halfcentreader's review against another edition
3.0
I had trouble dating this book. His parents are hippies from Vietnam era... he is 16 and living in time of gameboys, internet and cell phones. I am 40 and my dad fought in Vietnam. His mom is supposed to still look 20. This could have taken place a decade ago..(but that doesn't make me a highschool or college kid) since there is no reference to 9/11. But not much longer than that since internet wasn't mainstream until after 1995. AFter staying hung up on the "when" of the book, I then had to question why it took him so long to voice what he wanted... that he wanted conventional treatment. I still found the book engaging and well written.
labalkana's review against another edition
5.0
Daniel hat Leukämie.
Er ist zum ersten Mal verliebt aber empfindlich und ständig müde. Und lebt abgeschieden auf einem Hausboot um ihn von Keimen fernzuhalten. Seine Eltern wollen auch nicht, dass er weiter zur Schule geht, was ihn nicht nur sozial ausgrenzt, sondern auch das Jugendamt aufmerksam macht.
Seine Eltern sind Hippies, besonders seine Mutter radikal alternativ und lehnt Chemotherapie ab. Deshalb mischen sich die Behörden ein. Eltern dürfen Kindern notwendige medizinische Behandlung nicht verweigern.
Das er krank ist zieht Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. Aber alle reden über ihn, nicht mit ihm. Keiner fragt wie er sich sein Leben, oder das was davon bleibt, vorstellt.
Und sein Held, Holden aus "der Fänger im Roggen" inspiriert ihn dazu seine Familie und sen Umfeld zu verstehen und nachzuvollziehen aber auch ihr Denken, Handeln und Motive zu hinterfragen.
Und dazu, sein Leben und eine mögliche Behandlung selbst in die Hand zu nehmen.
Nicht nur für Jugendliche, eine wirklich starke Geschichte, die berührt. Die junge Liebe ist wirklich süß und perfekt dosiert, verkitscht das Ganze nicht. Insgesamt ist die Geschichte tragisch aber in einem relativ neutralen, nicht allzu sentimentalen Ton erzählt.
Das liegt vor allem an Daniel. Bei so exzentrischen Eltern und der Situation in der er ist, ist es authentisch, dass er nüchtern und sachlich darstellt.
Von seiner ersten Begegnung mit Meredith (die so süß ist) über seine Familie und die Rollenverteilung, wie alle immer Rücksicht auf seine ökologische Mutter nehmen. Viel mehr als auf ihn, der die Unterstützung eigentlich braucht. Bis zu seinen Gedanken, Gefühlen, Erlebnissen und kleinen Erfolgen. Sein Leben und seine Familie sind anders aber dadurch lässt sich alles nachempfinden.
Sogar das seltsam offene Ende hat mir gut gefallen.
Und die eingebaute Kritik am amerikanischen kaputten, zweifelhaften Gesundheitssystem, in dem den Eltern Chemotherapie aufgezwungen wird, die sie selbst zahlen müssen - wie interessiert den Staat dann nicht mehr.
Er ist zum ersten Mal verliebt aber empfindlich und ständig müde. Und lebt abgeschieden auf einem Hausboot um ihn von Keimen fernzuhalten. Seine Eltern wollen auch nicht, dass er weiter zur Schule geht, was ihn nicht nur sozial ausgrenzt, sondern auch das Jugendamt aufmerksam macht.
Seine Eltern sind Hippies, besonders seine Mutter radikal alternativ und lehnt Chemotherapie ab. Deshalb mischen sich die Behörden ein. Eltern dürfen Kindern notwendige medizinische Behandlung nicht verweigern.
Das er krank ist zieht Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. Aber alle reden über ihn, nicht mit ihm. Keiner fragt wie er sich sein Leben, oder das was davon bleibt, vorstellt.
Und sein Held, Holden aus "der Fänger im Roggen" inspiriert ihn dazu seine Familie und sen Umfeld zu verstehen und nachzuvollziehen aber auch ihr Denken, Handeln und Motive zu hinterfragen.
Und dazu, sein Leben und eine mögliche Behandlung selbst in die Hand zu nehmen.
Nicht nur für Jugendliche, eine wirklich starke Geschichte, die berührt. Die junge Liebe ist wirklich süß und perfekt dosiert, verkitscht das Ganze nicht. Insgesamt ist die Geschichte tragisch aber in einem relativ neutralen, nicht allzu sentimentalen Ton erzählt.
Das liegt vor allem an Daniel. Bei so exzentrischen Eltern und der Situation in der er ist, ist es authentisch, dass er nüchtern und sachlich darstellt.
Von seiner ersten Begegnung mit Meredith (die so süß ist) über seine Familie und die Rollenverteilung, wie alle immer Rücksicht auf seine ökologische Mutter nehmen. Viel mehr als auf ihn, der die Unterstützung eigentlich braucht. Bis zu seinen Gedanken, Gefühlen, Erlebnissen und kleinen Erfolgen. Sein Leben und seine Familie sind anders aber dadurch lässt sich alles nachempfinden.
Sogar das seltsam offene Ende hat mir gut gefallen.
Und die eingebaute Kritik am amerikanischen kaputten, zweifelhaften Gesundheitssystem, in dem den Eltern Chemotherapie aufgezwungen wird, die sie selbst zahlen müssen - wie interessiert den Staat dann nicht mehr.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Poshdeluxe
Cover Story: A Little Too Elementary
BFF Charm: Totes McGotes
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: Plain and Simple
Bonus Factor: Houseboat
Relationship Status: Buds Til the End
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: A Little Too Elementary
BFF Charm: Totes McGotes
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: Plain and Simple
Bonus Factor: Houseboat
Relationship Status: Buds Til the End
Read the full book report here.
aquahriana's review against another edition
1.0
I wish I had liked this. I read it because catcher is my all time fav book, but this was just terribly boring and unrealistic.
prairiedances's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. So much so that I wrote an article about it.
... One of the best books I've read this year. "Catcher Caught" is about Daniel a boy diagnosed with cancer and his parents who refuse to give him traditional medical intervention that may save or prolong his life. We've all seen the news reports. They're "those parents" the ones who run to Mexico for experimental treatment instead of going for chemo. The ones who force social services and the courts to get involved. You've judged them. I've judged them. Catcher, Caught goes behind all that and explores the other side to the story. Daniel is wonderful and the author doesn't make him into a martyr. He's still a normal kid- he makes his mom cry, he meets a girl, all that coming of age stuff...
For the rest of the review, please visit CBS Local New York after 1/19/15 at http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-books-based-in-new-york/ .
... One of the best books I've read this year. "Catcher Caught" is about Daniel a boy diagnosed with cancer and his parents who refuse to give him traditional medical intervention that may save or prolong his life. We've all seen the news reports. They're "those parents" the ones who run to Mexico for experimental treatment instead of going for chemo. The ones who force social services and the courts to get involved. You've judged them. I've judged them. Catcher, Caught goes behind all that and explores the other side to the story. Daniel is wonderful and the author doesn't make him into a martyr. He's still a normal kid- he makes his mom cry, he meets a girl, all that coming of age stuff...
For the rest of the review, please visit CBS Local New York after 1/19/15 at http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-books-based-in-new-york/ .
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