Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

100 reviews

marmat89on's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

I’ve feel like I’ve never read a book that so captured me! Some parts I could’ve sworn were written for and about me. I know I need to read more, but this book taught me at the very least what life was like a bit in the 1930s or whenever.  

I love Salinger’s style, where he says one thing, thinks another, written in a whole different way; and then goes off to tell a little side story. Only for that point to either go nowhere, or come up full circle by the end. Maybe I’m too heavily praising it, but I do want to read more Salinger and I’ll probably try an unauthorized sequel from the library – 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye. I just loved Holden Caulfield. His way of thinking and living, and his love for his little sister Phobe, it just killed me. Great for a teen, originally written for adults. Healthy exposure to drinking, swearing, coming-of-age, sex, depression, anxiety, and love. Good talking points for sure.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Child death, Pedophilia, Bullying, and Homophobia

Don’t be scared away by the warnings – this would’ve been a great story to read at 10+, especially in today’s times. Understanding that alcohol ain’t great, if you can get screwed in the real world, you will be, amongst other life lessons. And kids should know body safety rules; I about jumped out of my skin when Holden wakes up

to find his older neighbor friend caressing his hair

, only for Holden to a) rightfully leave the situation, explaining it was not okay, and b) that he’s

been in similar situations with other pervs 20 other times before

. I don’t know, just seems like as a parent you get the benefit of swearing a few times which will make your kid laugh, or if you’re just following them along, good times to talk about how things feel, what’s right and wrong. Just a fascinating novel, and I am so glad I read this before 40.

islamccormack's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Child death, Alcohol, Body horror, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Suicide

I honestly wasn’t expecting that book to be so amazing. I know that it’s a classic, but sometimes classics can be dusty and complicated to read. This was far from that, despite its slight slow pace sometimes (hence 4.75 stars). I have never felt so connected to a character in all the times that I’ve read in a VERY long time. Holden is such a complex but heartbreakingly innocent character. He is exposed and is exposing himself to self destructive behaviours and experiences a series of chaotic events during this novel which he chooses to pursue, yet he is so in pain, which makes me sympathise with him so much. I was so incredibly moved by this story - I’m actually speechless. And the twist at the end was even more heartbreaking. Holders attention to detail, his observant nature, his immaturity yet his mature tendencies, his wit and humour, his melancholia (that “killed me”) and his pluckiness that initiates these illicit activities that he pursues on these adventures around New York make for a amusing yet harrowing tale. Its like I was simultaneously laughing but nearly crying the entire way through the novel. One, because I have a brother the same age as Holden and I was imagining him in this mischievous position of trying to claim his masculinity and maturity around a big city. But two, I was so deeply saddened by Holden’s depression which overarches all of the mischief that it almost brought me to tears. The relationship he had with his sister was also very touching and personal to me. I felt even the nuances of a sibling relationship was executed perfectly, and the carousel scene had me in tears. Salinger’s ability to capture the complexities of the human mind, dialogue, inner turmoil and nuances of American people and society from the naive yet tormented mind of a 16 year old boy was eye opening, pivotal in challenging Americanism and essential in shining a light on internalised melancholia and grief. And all under the shadow of a post war society to top it all off! This is the work of a genius. I definitely can stand with everybody now when they dub this book a classic.

carrrrrrrrmen's review against another edition

reflective slow-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

4.5

i read this for school this year and loved it more than i expected

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Homophobia

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

williamabookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

1.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Racism

Moderate: Cursing, Toxic friendship, and Violence

ariak07's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Cursing, Chronic illness, and Alcohol

Minor: Vomit and Homophobia

catriona176's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

2.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Rape

jojoliest's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Suicide

astrid111's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

This was a very fast read, that I enjoyed. Other than that the book was mid. Houlden is so homophobic, racist, sexist it was truly uncomfortable to read. I know this book was written in another time, where things like this were “acceptable”, but still, this aged like milk. 

Other than the problematic parts, again, this book was mid. Had no point. The ending is just like every other chapter. I was waiting for a huge twist that never happened. At the end the author basically says: “ this book was about nothing, and you waisted your time.”

Sure as hell felt like it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Racial slurs, and Racism

Minor: Sexual content

screamfvce's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

0.5

a bunch of misogynystic bs

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Homophobia