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sannehamoen's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
aleos03's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
emilycor's review against another edition
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
1.0
Novel dedicated to the og incel Holden Caulfield. As troubled outsider lit surely we can do better than this in terms of highschool curriculum.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
averyalexis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Sexual harassment, and War
globefish21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Alcohol
allioth's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There are 2 kinds of people when it comes to their opinion of this book:
1 – Loves Holden, loves this book, relates to the protagonist's struggles, and if a teenager, there's a high chance they think all people are liars and hypocrites except them.
2 – Hates Holden, hates this book, doesn't understand its purpose, and hates the teenagers that think all people are liars and hypocrites except them.
I'm neither (I know, how un-phony of me).
I don't love Holden or this book, but I don't hate them either. I like the way Salinger portrays the fear of growing up and this idealistic memory of childhood, showcased through Phoebe. Holden's love of her is not only that of a big brother to his little sister, but also to the innocence he thinks is distinctive of a kid, even when Phoebe shatters that idea. She understands Holden's depression, she knows he seldom enjoys things, and she wants to escape with him not because she needs him, but because he needs her.
Another aspect I really liked was Jane Gallagher. She's never shown aside from what we hear from Stradlater, who only sees her through the lens of classic juvenile lust, and Holden, who sees her through the lens of classic childhood love, impossible of wrong and, more importantly, change, that he's afraid to face if he calls her and sees that he probably didn't know her as well as he thought he did.
Other themes such as grief, PTSD, and loneliness are also well written and probably relatable to many. That's why I'm afraid to say that I can't possibly give this book more than its current rating...
It served its purpose; it's a story that opens the doors for others. (For example, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which, surprise! I also thought was meh.) But I didn't connect with Holden, even when I'm just the right age, and that feels essential for even remotely caring about anything that happens in this story (which isn't a lot, to be honest).
I feel like the only reason it's this popular is because of the author's way of writing teen angst in such a realistic manner (or at least at the time—I can see why currently the way the protagonist talks can be quite annoying).
I appreciate the book's contribution, I understand why Salinger is seen as a "genius," and it is certainly a fairly easy-to-read classic. However, aside from that, I feel like it carries a not-so-deep or thought-provoking message about growing up that more young readers or adults who also had their rebellious-I-hate-everything phase might appreciate more.
Maybe I just don't get it.
I like Phoebe though, she's cool.
1 – Loves Holden, loves this book, relates to the protagonist's struggles, and if a teenager, there's a high chance they think all people are liars and hypocrites except them.
2 – Hates Holden, hates this book, doesn't understand its purpose, and hates the teenagers that think all people are liars and hypocrites except them.
I'm neither (I know, how un-phony of me).
I don't love Holden or this book, but I don't hate them either. I like the way Salinger portrays the fear of growing up and this idealistic memory of childhood, showcased through Phoebe. Holden's love of her is not only that of a big brother to his little sister, but also to the innocence he thinks is distinctive of a kid, even when Phoebe shatters that idea. She understands Holden's depression, she knows he seldom enjoys things, and she wants to escape with him not because she needs him, but because he needs her.
Another aspect I really liked was Jane Gallagher. She's never shown aside from what we hear from Stradlater, who only sees her through the lens of classic juvenile lust, and Holden, who sees her through the lens of classic childhood love, impossible of wrong and, more importantly, change, that he's afraid to face if he calls her and sees that he probably didn't know her as well as he thought he did.
Other themes such as grief, PTSD, and loneliness are also well written and probably relatable to many. That's why I'm afraid to say that I can't possibly give this book more than its current rating...
It served its purpose; it's a story that opens the doors for others. (For example, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which, surprise! I also thought was meh.) But I didn't connect with Holden, even when I'm just the right age, and that feels essential for even remotely caring about anything that happens in this story (which isn't a lot, to be honest).
I feel like the only reason it's this popular is because of the author's way of writing teen angst in such a realistic manner (or at least at the time—I can see why currently the way the protagonist talks can be quite annoying).
I appreciate the book's contribution, I understand why Salinger is seen as a "genius," and it is certainly a fairly easy-to-read classic. However, aside from that, I feel like it carries a not-so-deep or thought-provoking message about growing up that more young readers or adults who also had their rebellious-I-hate-everything phase might appreciate more.
Maybe I just don't get it.
I like Phoebe though, she's cool.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Grief
abfreda184's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
I would say it’s not entirely clear from reading the book, but Holden does seem to experience Mania at some points (he also experiences depression).mahsaudade's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
quinn24's review against another edition
3.0
Holden is so melodramatic it’s hilarious, though I can’t say I agree that he would’ve killed John Lennon, sorry John Lennon’s murderer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy catcher in the rye at all. I picked it up on a whim, since I figured the summer before college would be the perfect time to read it. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed it so much, the themes of innocence lost and struggling to find your place in the world really hit home. Maybe it’s a testament to Salinger’s writing. Maybe it’s just that I will never read anything like it again.
I’ll never understand why people call this a red flag book. Yes, Holden is not the easiest protagonist in the world, but he is also confused, depressed, young, and traumatized.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape and Classism
Minor: Homophobia and Lesbophobia