Scan barcode
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
laurybye's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, and Bullying
Minor: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Considering book content available to minors in school today, banning this classic is hypocritical and may draw attention to this sad book.greenrequiem'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
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Violence, Sexual assault, and Addiction
Minor: Murder, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Cancer, Child death, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship
maeve_simone's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
mushureads44's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
grizzlysnack'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
4.5
We're shown 3 days of 16 year-old Holden's life, and the text is trying to make you feel empathetic towards him, who is struggling with the loss of his innocence. Almost everyone can relate to that.
Salinger has a unique prose when it comes to Holden's perspective and how Holden sees the world. I think that those who dislike The Catcher in the Rye either couldn't grasp the idea of putting themselves in someone else's shoes when they read through it, or were expecting a completely different type of writing (like I said, Salinger's writing style is meant to be distant from the reader, it's what makes Holden relatable).
Holden Caufield has been treated so poorly by the 'adult world' that he is making terrible decisions to get the attentions of people who couldn't care less about his well-being. I think that's where the message gets blurred, and what leads to those poor reviews of the text.
Overall I think that The Catcher in the Rye is a wonderfully written novel, coming from a 19 year-old who never read it in high school (where/when most people read this book). If you're in the mood to reflect on a fictional character's life instead of worrying about the action that is happening, this would be a perfect read for you.
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Sexual assault
Minor: Pedophilia and Homophobia
natalie_davies'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
4.5
Throughout Holden's meander around New York I laughed - sometimes with Holden, sometimes AT him - I was frustrated and then I was sad, but I ultimately left the book with a deep sense of pity for childhood and innocence lost.
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Homophobia, and Cursing
garfield_furby's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia
ncason93's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
gabriel_dingle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Cursing, Homophobia, and Pedophilia
Minor: Racism
This novel reflects the period of time in which it was written, meaning that there are scenes of minor racism and homophobia, sometimes even by the main character. There is a depiction of a masculine attracted teaching preying on a student which is rather uncomfortable and it is implied that all gay people are perverted like that.