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rory_john14'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
2.5
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
jodar'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
0.25
I detested this so-called ‘great novel’ when I was compelled to read it as a teenager at secondary school. But that was decades ago, so when I mentioned my loathing recently and someone claimed it was well-written, I decided to read it again. But no, I didn’t find it well-written either: probably because it is a first-person narrative of a puerile, self-absorbed, cynical adolescent, the writing reflects that too.
To be clear, I have enjoyed novels whose MC is unattractive and selfish. But for me there needs to be something else for the novel to be ‘great’, moving, impactful and absorbing – some wider perspective, perhaps, or beautiful writing or something.
Yes, I understand that the MC, Holden Caulfield, is grieving for his dead brother, estranged from his parents and is grappling with the anguish of a teenager growing up. But his deep cynicism of everything, shallow appreciation of others, selfishness and general sordidness in thought and word is just plain ugly and unappealing. The MC only shows a bit of human warmth towards his younger sister, and even then he struggles not to be a selfish moron. (Now, if the MC had been his sister instead – she comes across as a sensible, decent human being – with a disturbed older brother to cope with, that might have been a ‘great novel’).
In short, I still regard this novel as the ‘type specimen’ of a largely meritless novel that some others regard as superlative for reasons I can’t really understand.
Or in words Holden might use: The MC is such a pain in the arse and phony sonuvabitch who annoys the hell out of me. The whole novel is a dumb, stinking goddam story that makes me want to puke.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual content, Child death, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
hannah_cogo'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide, Cursing, Grief, Physical abuse, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Pedophilia, Homophobia, Incest, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexual content
seanml'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
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Cursing, Gaslighting, Bullying, Pedophilia, Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Child death
_keelin_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Pedophilia, Cursing, and Sexual violence
halaagmod'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Suicide, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Misogyny
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
matilde66'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
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pedophilia
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Blood, and Child death
samugranjo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Although some of the middle part was a bit dull, this book and the Bell Jar are, in my opinion, some of the best portrayals of depression I have ever read and I need to give credit when credit is due.
Graphic: Death, Child death, Suicide, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pedophilia
marmat89on's review against another edition
- 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 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.
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