Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

123 reviews

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

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.

sebsie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Child death

Minor: Sexual assault

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.

tweedlesmart's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

Minor: Child death, Misogyny, 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

jmorateck's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective 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

4.25

Throughout the book Holden is still a jerk. He does change a bit but then goes mentally insane. I would recommend the book if you like adventure stories since this book is very adventurous through New York. I would say if you don't like characters that don't really change this book is not for you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Child death

Minor: Cursing

stuckduck's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Addiction, and Alcohol

Moderate: Grief, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Sexual assault, Classism, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Death, and Self harm

Minor: Violence, Vomit, and Child abuse

diegor's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

3.5

Il classico della letteratura americana ai lettori del giorno d'oggi potrebbe far storcere il naso, ma preso per quello che é rimane comunque un libro decisamente apprezzabile, scorrevole, a tratti parecchio ironico ma che riesce comunque a far riflettere su quelli che possono essere i conflitti o le incomprensioni tra un adolescente e un mondo che é nemico

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism and Child death

jane_moriarty's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, and Blood

Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Sexual content