Reviews - The Catcher in the Rye

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23.6k reviews for:

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger

3.58 AVERAGE

sams_fireside's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

'He was a very good skater and all, but I couldn't enjoy it much because I kept picturing him practicing to be a guy on roller-skates on the stage.'

The Catcher in the Rye was chosen for September's #classiclitbookclub. This is my first time reading it, and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. At first, I found Holden to be annoying, the story depressing, and there was a lot of overthinking. But as the book progressed and drew to a close, I started to understand why Holden narrates the way he does.

Holden seemed like a troubled teen still grappling with the death of his brother. His parents appeared more concerned about his academic failures than his emotional state. I suppose this is reflective of the time in which the book was written—mental health awareness was not as prevalent back then. Today, there are more resources available for teens going through similar struggles.

What really stood out to me was Holden's internal conflict—he’s trying to act like an adult when he clearly isn’t ready to let go of his childhood. He has no true friends; instead, he’s surrounded by acquaintances who tolerate him but don’t really understand him.

After reading a few other reviews, it’s clear that people either love or hate this book. As for me, I’m still on the fence, but I think if I read it again, I’d lean more toward ‘love’ than ‘hate.’

gr3g0r7's review against another edition

5.0

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

milaash's review against another edition

5.0

The Catcher in the Rye is probably the first ever literary book I've read. Not right now, of course, I've read a lot of literary fiction, but when I was, I think, 13 years old I read The Catcher in the Rye for the first time. I remember that I absolutely loved it. And after 3 years, I still do.

Despite this book being written quite a long time ago, the themes will always be relevant. Coming-of-age, I mean, everyone comes of age, and alienation, there will always be people that feel like they don't belong. The sentiment of just spontaneously going somewhere without planning is something I, and I know many other people as well, still fantasize about on a bi-weekly basis. Just packing your bags and leaving. Holden Caulfield did it, so why can't I, we think. Holden Caulfield is also the quintessential teenager and I think any teenager can relate to him even if it's just in one tiny thing. It's a great book, I don't know what else to say. Go read it!

sofeetjie's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny reflective

Strong character development: Yes

stevienic's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

humanbean6483's review against another edition

4.0

I hated that kid but also deeply related to his loneliness and his absolute floundering in so many situations.. disgusting, horrible feeling book but somehow I loved it. Just the darkness I needed to read at a time in life when everything felt fake and frustrating.