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sam_nightingale's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
n3rdybookworm's review against another edition
2.0
I considered whether I was going to give this book two or three stars for quite a long time. In the end, I went with 2, because there were just so many times I had to force myself to keep reading.
My problem with this book is that I can see how and why it was extremely important and trend-setting right after World War II, but it simply didn't carry importance to me, living in the current time.
The protagonist is basically a rebel without a clue, except that he really has not a single fucking clue about anything and still pretends that he's surrounded by morons. He just hates everyone and everything. In some ways, I can even understand him, because I've been annoyed by people as well. But that's no reason to get wasted or run away. It'll only make your problems worse.
Nevertheless, there were SOME wise words in the book (though hardly any of them were spoken by Holden Caulfield), and if you're interested in classic literature and/or understanding the sentiment after the 2nd world war, this is a recommendable read.
Favorite quote: "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."
My problem with this book is that I can see how and why it was extremely important and trend-setting right after World War II, but it simply didn't carry importance to me, living in the current time.
The protagonist is basically a rebel without a clue, except that he really has not a single fucking clue about anything and still pretends that he's surrounded by morons. He just hates everyone and everything. In some ways, I can even understand him, because I've been annoyed by people as well. But that's no reason to get wasted or run away. It'll only make your problems worse.
Nevertheless, there were SOME wise words in the book (though hardly any of them were spoken by Holden Caulfield), and if you're interested in classic literature and/or understanding the sentiment after the 2nd world war, this is a recommendable read.
Favorite quote: "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."
cassmpt's review against another edition
3.75
L'histoire etait pas fascinante mais c'est un beau roman d'apprentissage qui se demande les objectifs que les gens ont dans une vie, avoir une famille, un travail qui gagne assez dans le seul but de s'acheter la meilleure voiture qui soit. Le narrateur est attachant et j'ai bien aimé ses reflexions et sa personnalité, qui n'etait pas complexe mais qui aurait pu l'etre si le roman avait été plus long. Holden Caulfield est comme un peter pan, qui n'acceptent pas de se voir grandir et de voir les autres grandir.
dsheffield206's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
horizonblue's review against another edition
3.0
I read the book for the first time a few years ago when I was learning English, because an American friend of mine recommended this book to me and said it's classic. I bet I didn't have a helluva idea what I was reading about... I ended up gave this book a high rating because if people are crazy about a book then it is supposed to be a good book.
Now that I am slightly better in English, rereading the book for the second time gives me a completely new experience... I am able to enjoy the book better and feel what Holden's been feeling, to see what he's been gone through and the paradoxical nature of his personality. Yet I'm not going to rate the book as high as I used to. I'm not saying this is not a good book and it definitely has its social influence. It's just that I am not a big fan of this style of writing.
Now that I am slightly better in English, rereading the book for the second time gives me a completely new experience... I am able to enjoy the book better and feel what Holden's been feeling, to see what he's been gone through and the paradoxical nature of his personality. Yet I'm not going to rate the book as high as I used to. I'm not saying this is not a good book and it definitely has its social influence. It's just that I am not a big fan of this style of writing.
enajait's review against another edition
4.0
It’s a good book. I enjoyed reading it and from a literary standpoint it’s well written and fun to analyse, but… would I ever pick it up and stick with it for pure enjoyment? No. I stand by my bias against literature that doesn’t pass the bechdel test. We have heard enough from straight white men who consider themselves better than all the “phonys” in society. 4/5 stars
marcird's review against another edition
5.0
Laughed out loud while reading this book. I love Salinger's writing style.
peony_xo'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? Yes
1.0
A lot of people love this book. Apparently, I am not one of them. I am left confused and annoyed. He is an unreliable narrator at best, an annoying asshole at worst. He admits early on that he lies all the time about everything, so how much of what he tells us can we trust? I have so many thoughts but putting them into words makes me sound too much like Holden, hating all the things and whining about it incessantly.