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nicxlo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Sexual harassment
zeraphyr's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
While Holden is certainly a very... idiosyncratic character (he's a bit of a dick, quick to pass judgment on others whilst falling short of identifying the same flaws in himself sometimes), he's also a character that's very true to the adolescent struggle of failing to fit in. To find a purpose in a world that places a lot of restrictions upon people while growing up. And how in trying to rebel against the confines of adulthood and this sense of alienation from ourselves, we can get lost just as well as when we're giving in.
There's a lot of other interesting themes and often dark topics (like sexual assault and trauma) that get brought up, but this one resonated with me the most.
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, Death, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Child death, Sexual content, and Child abuse
o3tri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Child abuse, Suicide, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Ableism
wuthrinheights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holden was witty and observant, sarcastic, and the biggest hater you've ever met. His narration was often so comical, I kept giggling or literally laughing out loud with tears in my eyes. Really, he killed me.
But as you read on, this story of his account of spending the night alone in New York City, in between meeting all kinds of people in his life who happened to be available to meet him that night, while his memories weaved in and out, and he tried his hardest to hang on, your heart gets broken piece by piece. Holden's voice will stay with you and you can't shake him out.
A full 5 stars for me. Heck, I'd give 6 out of 5 stars if I could. This is my favourite book and it holds a special place in my heart for it.
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
mawar12's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual harassment
salem0's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
reread and reviewed by: sept 13 2023
honestly, it's kind of a bittersweet type of book. i like the commentary on the 'innocence' of childhood and the adolescent experience. holden is pretty flawed since he's a bit shallow at times and he's clearly got anger issues and a little misogyny, but i did feel for him and what he was going through. his views on the people around him reminded me a bit of me when i was 16 with some mental health issues. i sorta got what he was saying about phoniness too. the part at the end where he said 'god i wish you could've been there to see it' kinda got me pretty sad. the part i liked best was where he explained why he wanted to be the catcher in the rye tho. i came out of the story genuinely wishing that this guy got better after the events of this book.
overall, i really enjoyed this book, and while it's no favorite, i think it'll still stick with me. and even if people are often divided on this book, i'd still recommend this. also now i've gotten into saying goddamn as often as possible because of this goddamn book.
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Violence
kaylenabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Minor: Sexual harassment
bexi's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Cursing, Lesbophobia, Violence, Body shaming, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Misogyny, and Suicide
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Gore, and Sexual assault
diana_raquel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Partially published in serial form between 1945–46 before being novelized in 1951, The Catcher in the Rye is considered to be one of the best modern American novels. It follows the events in Holden Caulfield's life for a weekend after being expelled from his boarding school. Originally intended for adults, it is often read by adolescents because of its themes of alienation and angst. It also deals with complex issues of innocence, identity, belonging, loss, grief, connection, sex, and depression.
I think that this is one of those books that you have to read in a certain mood or at a specific time in your life (teenage years). Maybe because I'm not in the right mood or in my teenage years, this book did nothing to me. It's a "meh" to me. I know that Holden isn't intended to be a likable character but I just roll my eyes because he can be very annoying. Most of the time, I was just "Grow up already!".
I liked the writing style and even with my annoyance with Holden, I have to say that he is the perfect example of an unreliable narrator. But, alas, it is still a "meh" to me.
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Misogyny, Violence, Body horror, and Cursing
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, Blood, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
sarahexe's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Death, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Sexism