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

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book is a character study. It focuses on being young and feeling the weight of people expecting you to have everything decided for the future, to know what career path you want to follow, when you might feel as if you know nothing. 

I have seen that many people dislike Holden. I agree that he is not someone that I'd like to hang out with but I don't hate him. I don't think I can, since his thoughts and behavior are affected by things he can't control. Firstly, I think he is autistic. Secondly, he found his dead brother's body when he was a kid and has been sexually harassed many times since a very young age. These are very traumatizing experiences for anyone, let alone a child. So that, combined with his autism, I believe explain why he thinks the way he does.
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