Scan barcode
exceptionallyrainytuesdaynight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, and Drug use
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
jodar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I detested this so-called ‘great novel’ when I was compelled to read it as a teenager at secondary school. But that was decades ago, so when I mentioned my loathing recently and someone claimed it was well-written, I decided to read it again. But no, I didn’t find it well-written either: probably because it is a first-person narrative of a puerile, self-absorbed, cynical adolescent, the writing reflects that too.
To be clear, I have enjoyed novels whose MC is unattractive and selfish. But for me there needs to be something else for the novel to be ‘great’, moving, impactful and absorbing – some wider perspective, perhaps, or beautiful writing or something.
Yes, I understand that the MC, Holden Caulfield, is grieving for his dead brother, estranged from his parents and is grappling with the anguish of a teenager growing up. But his deep cynicism of everything, shallow appreciation of others, selfishness and general sordidness in thought and word is just plain ugly and unappealing. The MC only shows a bit of human warmth towards his younger sister, and even then he struggles not to be a selfish moron. (Now, if the MC had been his sister instead – she comes across as a sensible, decent human being – with a disturbed older brother to cope with, that might have been a ‘great novel’).
In short, I still regard this novel as the ‘type specimen’ of a largely meritless novel that some others regard as superlative for reasons I can’t really understand.
Or in words Holden might use: The MC is such a pain in the arse and phony sonuvabitch who annoys the hell out of me. The whole novel is a dumb, stinking goddam story that makes me want to puke.
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Suicide
wiktoria_bojda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
hannah_cogo's review against another edition
- 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: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
tieflingmom's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
atlasobi'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
3.5
i can see why some people wouldn't like this book, but honestly i think i love it for those same reasons. the catcher in the rye is an angsty coming of age novel about holden caulfield, a teenager struggling with depression & growing up in the 1950s. holden's smart but unable to apply himself, he feels alone and struggles connecting with other people, and he's desperately clinging to his childhood as everything, even he himself, is changing. yeah he's whiny and depressed and lonesome (rip bozo), but who wasn't at 16 lmao
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer and Child death
wrensandroses's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Trafficking
o3tri's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism
samugranjo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Although some of the middle part was a bit dull, this book and the Bell Jar are, in my opinion, some of the best portrayals of depression I have ever read and I need to give credit when credit is due.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Pedophilia
wuthrinheights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holden was witty and observant, sarcastic, and the biggest hater you've ever met. His narration was often so comical, I kept giggling or literally laughing out loud with tears in my eyes. Really, he killed me.
But as you read on, this story of his account of spending the night alone in New York City, in between meeting all kinds of people in his life who happened to be available to meet him that night, while his memories weaved in and out, and he tried his hardest to hang on, your heart gets broken piece by piece. Holden's voice will stay with you and you can't shake him out.
A full 5 stars for me. Heck, I'd give 6 out of 5 stars if I could. This is my favourite book and it holds a special place in my heart for it.
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment