Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

49 reviews

berratrixie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.25

the extremely slow pacing of some parts in the book make it a slog to get through, but the catcher in the rye is overall still an intriguing story with lots of memorable and emotionally impactful highlights.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence, Abandonment, Child death, and Blood

Minor: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Cancer, Vomit, Alcoholism, and Terminal illness

angelo_vossen's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.25

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger is a novel that has sparked intense debates and discussions since its publication in 1951. Set in the 1950s, it follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a disenchanted teenager expelled from his prep school as he navigates through the streets of New York City over a few days. Through Holden's first-person narrative, readers are taken on a journey through his inner thoughts, observations, and encounters, providing a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the mind of a troubled adolescent.

Salinger's writing style, characterized by its colloquial language and stream-of-consciousness technique, immerses readers in Holden's world, allowing them to experience his disillusionment, loneliness, and search for authenticity alongside him. The novel's title, inspired by a misinterpretation of a Robert Burns poem, reflects Holden's desire to protect the innocence of childhood—a theme that permeates the story as he grapples with the complexities of growing up in a world he perceives as phony and corrupt.

Holden Caulfield has been both celebrated and criticized as a protagonist. Some readers sympathize with his struggles and appreciate his honesty, while others find him to be whiny, self-absorbed, and unreliable. His cynicism and tendency to criticize the people and society around him can be off-putting to some readers, leading to divided opinions about his likability and relatability. I certainly am more on the critics‘ side. As far as I am concerned, Holden Caulfield is kind of hypocritical and pretentious. While complaining about everything being phony, he himself acts like a brat throwing money out of the window left and right.

Even though Holden Caulfield as a character aggregated me quite a lot, I have to admit that J.D. Salinger achieved to portray him as a caring brother. Despite his pretentious behaviour and tendency to be quite annoying at times, he shows to care a lot about the people he loves, especially his siblings. I even felt sorry for him during some parts of the book, because the lasting grief and sadness he faces due to his little brother‘s death comes through strongly between the lines.

I caught myself thinking that the character should try therapy once in a while to learn how to cope with all his struggles, so I was glad to realize he seems to be in a mental health clinic during the entirety of the novel while telling the reader about his crazy days.

The novel's exploration of themes such as alienation, identity, and the loss of innocence resonates with many readers, especially adolescents grappling with similar issues. Holden's quest for authenticity and his resistance to societal norms and expectations strike a chord with those who have felt out of place or disillusioned with the world around them.

However, "The Catcher in the Rye" is not without its flaws. Critics have pointed out its repetitive narrative, lack of plot development, and the meandering nature of Holden's thoughts, which can make it a challenging read for some. Additionally, its use of dated language and cultural references may distance modern readers and limit its relevance to contemporary audiences. I did not mind the language used in the novel too much. It definitely fit the time the book was published in and set the tone for the main character quite well.

Despite its shortcomings, "The Catcher in the Rye" appears to remain a significant work in literature, influencing countless writers and resonating with generations of readers as research allows me to say. Its exploration of the universal themes of adolescence, identity, and the search for meaning continues to make it a relevant and thought-provoking read for those willing to delve into the mind of Holden Caulfield and confront the complexities of youth and growing up. That‘s what it is in the end: A story about an adolescent who is being confused and lost in life and who is trying to figure out their own role in this world while doing reckless teenage stuff.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Suicide

rory_john14's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Alcoholism, Grief, Cursing, Alcohol, Suicide, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death, and Mental illness

Moderate: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, Homophobia, and Violence

Minor: Sexual content, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Vomit, Classism, Child abuse, Bullying, Racism, Gore, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Ableism, and Murder

literatureboysmelancholy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Addiction, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Child death, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Mental illness, and Cancer

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood

Minor: Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Vomit

exceptionallyrainytuesdaynight's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Alcoholism, and Drug use

Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Mental illness

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Violence

maddalenacesco's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

teenage misanthropist who grew up in a silver-spoon gated community.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Alcoholism, Death, Alcohol, Bullying, and Cursing

countdraculahimself's review against another edition

emotional funny sad fast-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Grief, Violence, Alcoholism, and Child death

Minor: Suicide and Bullying

wuthrinheights's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• 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

I first picked up this book when I was a teenager and I loved it since. It was the first classic book I read that wasn't assigned in class. And that was the birth of my love for classics. Reading it again in my 20's, it's even better than when I first met him. 

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. 

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Content Warnings

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

darkknightrising's review against another edition

reflective 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

2.25

Ash Lynx's favorite book...

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism and Sexism

booitsnathalie's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Bullying, and Murder

Minor: Alcoholism and Child death