Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

147 reviews

malenaa14's review

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

This is definitely the best classic novel I have read. I first read the description of this book and thought it would be something more cliché. But the interesting thing about this novel is that it doesn’t have a definite ending, it ends in the start of a young man’s life, —or not. Who knows? Holden Caulfield could’ve ended up killing himself or being valedictorian a month after writing the book and the reader wouldn’t even be surprised. The book might have some strings lose in terms of plot but it just adds to the mystery of the story and the confusion of growing up. The first page to the last sentence of The Catcher in the Rye keeps you hooked on the adventures of this angsty teenager figuring out his way through life, so much so that his story follows you forever. You will always be my best friend, Holden Caulfield.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts

incognito_mosquito's review

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A classic that I actually enjoyed, flawed character struggling with his mental health before mental health was widely discussed.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

bill369's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

My friend randomly picked this book in the library and said I should read it.

I like Holden's sister Phoebe. Perhaps she's only idolised by Holden. Nevertheless, she's likeable. To the book she's like fresh air, she sticks out among the other rotten characters. Most importantly though, I enjoy how she brings the best out of Holden.

Holden gets kicked out of yet another prep school. Therefore, he decides to getaway. While away, he confronts quite a few aspects of the „adult world“ and tries to deal with them.

Page 29, men.
 

Jenom proto, že je sám do sebe šíleně zamilovanej, tak si myslí, že vy do něj musíte bejt taky šíleně zamilovaný a že prostě umíráte touhou udělat mu nějakou laskavost. Svým způsobem je to psina.

Page 199, leave past in the past.
 

Nikdy nikomu o nikom nevypravujte, poněvadž by vám pak začal scházet.

 

I'm content with how the book ends.

I am not impressed by the book. However, I'm glad I read it because it's classic. Now I'll know what people are referring to.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, and Cursing

Moderate: Child death and Suicidal thoughts

grace_cr1's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexism, Alcohol, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Vomit, Death, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Cancer

sunny_not's review

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Just a weird teenage boy hating everything, being sexist, racist and homophobic at the same time. Definitely of its time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Suicide

tobsi's review

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Cursing, and Mental illness

Minor: Suicide

maliciouslesbian's review

dark emotional funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Grief, Death, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Homophobia, Classism, and Sexual harassment

reverie_and_books's review

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - Review (🇬🇧 + 🇩🇪)

It’s one of those books that is frequently mentioned in American pop culture. And often in a very bad light, like »Run and run fast, if that’s his favorite book!«. So I was even more intrigued to pick it up.

If there was a book that perfectly represents the male, angsty teenager — this is it. Holden is a handful, calls everything »phony« and despises growing up. With themes like loss, loneliness, class, sexuality and the lack of ambition, a lightweight story is not to be expected. The main character is not very likable, either.

If you don’t mind the smell of teen spirit, go pick it up. J.D. Salinger found words for a feeling, that is otherwise hard to grasp. I’m very glad to have read it.

And I just had to throw a Nirvana reference in there - the soundtrack to me being an angsty teenager. Good times.

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🇩🇪 Der Fänger im Roggen von J.D. Salinger

Vor allem in der amerikanischen Pop-Kultur wird dieses Buch immerzu erwähnt. Nicht selten als Warnsignal nach dem Motto „laufe so schnell du kannst, wenn das sein Lieblingsbuch ist!”. Das machte es  nur interessanter für mich.

Wenn es ein Buch gäbe, das stereotypisch einen ängstlichen Teenager verkörpert, dann dieses. Holden hat eine große Abneigung gegenüber allem, was heuchlerisch oder affektiert ist und wehrt sich gegen das Erwachsenwerden. Mit Themen wie Verlust, Einsamkeit, Sexualität und das Fehlen großer Ambitionen ist keine leichtgewichtige Lektüre zu erwarten. Auch der Hauptcharakter ist nicht gerade sympathisch.

Wenn dich der Geruch von „Teen Spirit” nicht abschreckt, schau es dir genauer an. J.D. Salinger hat eine Sprache für ein Gefühl gefunden, für welches ich als Teenager keinerlei Worte hatte. Ich bin sehr froh, es jetzt gelesen zu haben.

Und ich musste einfach eine Nirvana-Referenz einbringen - den Soundtrack meiner Jugend. Good times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

lewskj's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Pedophilia, Cursing, and Misogyny

Moderate: Violence, Blood, Child death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Minor: Terminal illness

abby_reads_books's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol