Reviews with content warning for Cursing - The Catcher in the Rye

Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

115 reviews

bella_mckinnon's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense 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

5.0

Was initially very dismissive and judgemental because Holden comes off as this angsty and cynical kid which I found annoying, but upon further reading I came to really appreciate his character.

Particularly his honesty, that his goodness does kind of shine underneath and in a subtle way, like how he hated how people yelled “Digression” at the kids who were really nervous or really excited about their oral exam topics, or how he’d rub off all the “Fuck you” lines that were written on walls because some kids might see them and be confronted by it or ruminate about it. He’s not a terrible person, to me. He’s a depressed teenager and as is common with depressed teens, particularly depressed teen boys, it’s manifesting as angst and cynicism.

But, I really came to appreciate Holden’s character. I realised that how he is reminded me of how I was between the ages of 14 and 16. Edgy, angsty, cynical but very depressed. I kind of ‘got it’ after a while and enjoyed reading more.

I had to look past my initial prejudices of him being whiny though. Once done, it was a great book to me. 5/5 would read again and again.

Content Warnings

mme_carton's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

Content Warnings

sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

2nd time reading:
At first, I was gonna give it a lower rating, maybe a 3.5 ⭐️. But I had too much fun annotating and analyzing this book. Finally understand it’s meaning and the underlying themes now that I’m older was truly magical.

Content Warnings

yustawrites's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective sad medium-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

5.0

Oh my God. If you rate this book low then you're a phony. I swear to God you are.

I'm lost for words. I just loved it. Holden really feels like a close friend. This book is overall SAD, but the humour in it is very special and has made me laugh to myself a few times. Very well done.

The writing is direct, it doesn't feel like there are any fillers, everything Holden says is important and I loved being in his head for a few days (even if that meant being a little sad, worried, heartbroken).

Negative reviews tend to say that the writing is repetitive - but this is exactly the point. Holden is talking to YOU. He is telling you his story about what happened after he got kicked out of the school (again) - so shut up and LISTEN.

Other negative reviews talk about Holden as this annoying anti-hero. I read one that said something like:

"I enjoyed the main character. Or rather I enjoyed hating him".

He is a 16-year old boy on the brink of a mental breakdown.

You cannot post reviews like that and wonder WHY WE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. It's exactly because of people like this - a.k.a. "phonies"; who won't listen, and shrug a struggling person off as "annoying", "rude", "obnoxious", "stupid".

This book made me cry. But what's different this time is that I cried while explaining the plot to someone else. Can you imagine?

God I love Phoebe. She's so like my little sister (and that kills me). Little kids really are more clever than you assume, and they are so pure.

I would like to thank J. D. Salinger for the ending. I really thought Holden is going to die in the end, but if he did I don't know if I could've taken that. Thank you for giving him a chance. Thank you for letting him live. Thank you for making him my friend.

Content Warnings

bill369's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.0

My friend randomly picked this book in the library and said I should read it.

I like Holden's sister Phoebe. Perhaps she's only idolised by Holden. Nevertheless, she's likeable. To the book she's like fresh air, she sticks out among the other rotten characters. Most importantly though, I enjoy how she brings the best out of Holden.

Holden gets kicked out of yet another prep school. Therefore, he decides to getaway. While away, he confronts quite a few aspects of the „adult world“ and tries to deal with them.

Page 29, men.
Jenom proto, že je sám do sebe šíleně zamilovanej, tak si myslí, že vy do něj musíte bejt taky šíleně zamilovaný a že prostě umíráte touhou udělat mu nějakou laskavost. Svým způsobem je to psina.

Page 199, leave past in the past.
Nikdy nikomu o nikom nevypravujte, poněvadž by vám pak začal scházet.

I'm content with how the book ends.

I am not impressed by the book. However, I'm glad I read it because it's classic. Now I'll know what people are referring to.

Content Warnings