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A review by emisbooks
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
emotional
reflective
fast-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
i enjoyed this book. i didn't find it incredible, but it wasn't terrible.
the language/writing style is very 1950's. i enjoyed the writing style but also found the constant repetition of the words goddamn, old, phony, and lousy quite frustrating. however i realise this is likely a stylistic choice as holden is a teenage boy with a seemingly limited vocabulary.
i found holden's character annoying, but that's kind of the point. he thinks hes maturer than he is and often makes stupid decisions that get him in a complete mess which was quite interesting to read. he's just a stupid teenage boy trying to conquer a big city with no real plan.
this book didn't have much of a plot and was far more character driven which i don't mind. the story is mostly just holden experiencing new york, pondering on his past and observing the world. it's also very fast paced with short chapters.
i didn't like how women were portrayed in this book. whilst it was published in the 50s and holden is a teenage boy, i felt like the women only served as meaningless plot devices that were either sex obsessed or "phony."
i found the last scene with his sister on the carousel very sweet, even if i did find the way holden describes her strange at times, considering she's 10 years old.
overall: solid 3.5 stars. good character driven story. writing style is part infuriating and part interesting. i'd recommend if you need a quick literary fiction read.
the language/writing style is very 1950's. i enjoyed the writing style but also found the constant repetition of the words goddamn, old, phony, and lousy quite frustrating. however i realise this is likely a stylistic choice as holden is a teenage boy with a seemingly limited vocabulary.
i found holden's character annoying, but that's kind of the point. he thinks hes maturer than he is and often makes stupid decisions that get him in a complete mess which was quite interesting to read. he's just a stupid teenage boy trying to conquer a big city with no real plan.
this book didn't have much of a plot and was far more character driven which i don't mind. the story is mostly just holden experiencing new york, pondering on his past and observing the world. it's also very fast paced with short chapters.
i didn't like how women were portrayed in this book. whilst it was published in the 50s and holden is a teenage boy, i felt like the women only served as meaningless plot devices that were either sex obsessed or "phony."
overall: solid 3.5 stars. good character driven story. writing style is part infuriating and part interesting. i'd recommend if you need a quick literary fiction read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death