A review by marina_ada
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• 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

It seems like everyone around me hates The Catcher in the Rye, but it has been my favorite book since I read it for the first time 5 years ago. I hate rereading books, but I've read this 3 times, going on 4. Every time I read it, I learn something new about Holden, about Salinger, about myself. Holden is by no means am outwardly "interesting" kid; he's a lost, angsty teenager with no interests, no real friends, no experience in the real world, just a bunch of "nothing" under his belt. Yet that is exactly what makes him such a readable, captivating character. Pair Holden's personality with Salinger's witty, blunt, and brutally honest writing, and the book is a true work of art. Its not a story of teenage rebellion or the road to self discovery, its a story about a boy who wants something, anything, to do. Its a story about learning to live in a world that only ever looks down on you, a world that seems to push you back every step of the way. Its a story of isolation and connection, happiness and sorrow, nostalgia and yearning. Plainly, its about living life.
I have recommended this book to almost every person I know, with an incredibly low rate of success. They come back and say it was "boring", "annoying", "unnecessary". But I grew up with Holden, and he's been great company.