Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Над пропастью во ржи

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.

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abfreda184's review against another edition

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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

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mahsaudade's review against another edition

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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

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quinn24's review against another edition

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3.0

Holden is so melodramatic it’s hilarious, though I can’t say I agree that he would’ve killed John Lennon, sorry John Lennon’s murderer

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lindseyhall44's review against another edition

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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.

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