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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).2busyreading's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Suicide
Minor: Cancer
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
maiahhtratchh's review against another edition
dark
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
1.0
I had no idea what this book was about but have always been intrigued. I felt such discomfort, anxiety, and pure dislike/hate of this book as I read it . I cannot speak for people who have severe narcissistic mental health disorders as to how accurate it is but if you have ever been in a toxic relationship with a narcissist.. this book is hella triggering. The way Holden interacts and speaks of those around him swinging back and forth from praising/loving to tearing them to shreds in whiplash I have experienced being on the other side of that and listening to it. I also just didn’t understand the plot much and the way it abruptly ended made me mad, that I had gone through all that emotional turmoil for it to just… finish with no real reason. Anyways I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you are curious about what it feels like to be around someone with actual narcissism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Grief
Psychosis referring to Holdens altered perception of reality and his increasing mania throughout the course of the book. Including how it manifests in his interactions/views of those around himlindseyhall44'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
dogfriend69's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-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
My fav book of all time :)))) I want to shake Holden and yell "GET BETTER YOU POOR KID" he's a screwed up kid who has a good heart and the depiction of his thoughts and actions are unbelievably real to how I remember my adolescence. There is def some older language that wouldn’t be used if it was written today but it's compassionate to its characters and the situations they are in.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
pau_line'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? It's complicated
2.25
"Ich hätte beinahe geheult, so verflucht glücklich war ich, falls das jemanden inreressiert" -> Nein Holdeny niemandes interessierts.
Weil boah dieses Buuch nh...ich weiß ja nicht, ob mein intellektuelles Niveau einfsch nicht an das Buch heranreicht oder was das Problem ist, aber wArUm IsT dAs eIn KlAsSiKeR!?
Ich fands furchtbar, also wirklich. Und das lag zu 95% an Holden Caulfield.
Die Erzählperspektive an sich udn auch den Schreibstil fand ich ja gar nicht schlecht, aber die Hauptfigur war ein Albtraum auf 2 Beinen für mich.
Meiner Meinung nach kann er sich definitiv hinter Faust und Harry Haller einreihen, udn das will was heißen...
Holden ist ein verwöhnter, selbstzentrierter, weißer junger Mann, der alles und jeden hasst, lustlos durchs Leben geht und alle anderen als Nichtsnutze, als dumm und hässlich beschreibt.
Müsste man eine Liste erstellen mit Dingen, die Holden hasst, wäre es leichter aufzuzählen, was er nicht hasst.
Holden hat keinerlei Antrieb und sein Leben läuft schlecht. Trotzdem kann er es nicht lassen, alles und jeden um ihn herum zu kritisieren.
Er kümmert sich überhaupt nicht um sein Umfeld, allein schon, dass er gefühlt 100 Leute nachts aus dem Schlaf reißt, nur weil ihm langweilig ist?!
In gewissen Belangen (sehr wenigen) konnte ich ihn ja verstehen, trotzden hab ich selten so wenig Mitgefühl udn Sympathie für einen Protagonisten empfunden.
Und was bitte ist jetzt die Moral von der Geschichte? Was soll dieses Ende?
Insgesamt
Alles war absolut random, die Handlung merkwürdig, Holden war wie ausführlich geschildert einfach schlimm.
Der Typ ist 16?! Er sauft und raucht dauerhaft!? Was ist los mit dem!??!?🥲😭
Immerhin kann ich jetzt mitreden, falls irgendwer mal irgendwann dieses Buch besprechen will, aber hätte man sich meines Erachtens wirklich sparen können
Weil boah dieses Buuch nh...ich weiß ja nicht, ob mein intellektuelles Niveau einfsch nicht an das Buch heranreicht oder was das Problem ist, aber wArUm IsT dAs eIn KlAsSiKeR!?
Ich fands furchtbar, also wirklich. Und das lag zu 95% an Holden Caulfield.
Die Erzählperspektive an sich udn auch den Schreibstil fand ich ja gar nicht schlecht, aber die Hauptfigur war ein Albtraum auf 2 Beinen für mich.
Meiner Meinung nach kann er sich definitiv hinter Faust und Harry Haller einreihen, udn das will was heißen...
Holden ist ein verwöhnter, selbstzentrierter, weißer junger Mann, der alles und jeden hasst, lustlos durchs Leben geht und alle anderen als Nichtsnutze, als dumm und hässlich beschreibt.
Müsste man eine Liste erstellen mit Dingen, die Holden hasst, wäre es leichter aufzuzählen, was er nicht hasst.
Holden hat keinerlei Antrieb und sein Leben läuft schlecht. Trotzdem kann er es nicht lassen, alles und jeden um ihn herum zu kritisieren.
Er kümmert sich überhaupt nicht um sein Umfeld, allein schon, dass er gefühlt 100 Leute nachts aus dem Schlaf reißt, nur weil ihm langweilig ist?!
In gewissen Belangen (sehr wenigen) konnte ich ihn ja verstehen, trotzden hab ich selten so wenig Mitgefühl udn Sympathie für einen Protagonisten empfunden.
Und was bitte ist jetzt die Moral von der Geschichte? Was soll dieses Ende?
Insgesamt
Alles war absolut random, die Handlung merkwürdig, Holden war wie ausführlich geschildert einfach schlimm.
Der Typ ist 16?! Er sauft und raucht dauerhaft!? Was ist los mit dem!??!?🥲😭
Immerhin kann ich jetzt mitreden, falls irgendwer mal irgendwann dieses Buch besprechen will, aber hätte man sich meines Erachtens wirklich sparen können
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Pedophilia
Minor: Child death, Death, and Suicide
allisoncdn's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
2.75
The main reason why I did not really enjoy this is the insufferable narrator. I’m aware that this is supposed to be a coming-of-age story, but the tone used gets annoying after a few chapters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
Minor: Child death