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wowimreadingagain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I understand the critical acclaim. Above all else, this book is a depiction of a struggling teenager. Holden is immature and doesn’t mature much further by the end, but that doesn’t matter. The core message of this book to me was “you’re not alone”. That’s nothing special, but the way Holden interacts with people and the genuineness of his internal monologue is what sells it. I relate to Holden, and was like him as a teenager in many ways. I still am. It’s nice to read this book because it communicates how widespread these issues are.
Holden as a character is, again, nothing special. He’s deeply flawed, but his concern for Jane Ghallager and his care for his siblings highlight his good side.
Above all this book is an opportunity to reflect on one’s own teenage life, and likely would resonate with many age groups, including those who are currently teenagers.
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, and Transphobia
Implied rape is described in a few sentences, nothing graphic. Holden has a negative impression of a crossdresser he sees. Holden is worried about homosexuality in a straight boy way, and uses an outdated, apparently offensive term to refer to gay men. I say apparently offensive because it’s so outdated that I had never heard it, and I didn’t get bothered much by it (as a gay non-binary person).frankiesayrelax's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Bullying and Suicide
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Pedophilia, Rape, and Grief
abfreda184'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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).lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape and Classism
Minor: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
catriona176'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? It's complicated
2.0
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Rape
stuckduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Violence, and Vomit
pitchperfectamy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexism, and Classism
floatinthevoid'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
4.5
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
krystaltyong's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bronaghd07'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, and Classism