bronaghd07's review
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Classism, Racism, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Cursing
lizziertaft's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The POV of Holden gets old quick. The book is slow and severely overrated. What many consider a classic, I think is just outdated and dull. I do have empathy for Holden and hope he found healing where it was he was getting help for at the end. He reminds me a lot of an old best friend I had, I’m convinced Holden was a Gemini moon.
Minor: Sexism, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Grief, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Transphobia
yustawrites's review
- 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
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.
Spoiler
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.
Graphic: Physical abuse and Cursing
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, and Vomit
kaiiiwood'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
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Death, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol
sunny_not's review
- 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: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Suicide
lewskj's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Pedophilia, Cursing, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Child death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Terminal illness
abby_reads_books's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol
cursed_sapphire's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Child death
imjustgolf's review
- 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
Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship
aguattery'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
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Homophobia and Child death