Reviews

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

sade_maranville's review

emotional reflective tense 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

1.0

the_smore's review

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? It's complicated

2.0

I hate Holden

gelainmariaelena's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• 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

4.0

biolexicon's review

3.0

I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could.

retired_to_alternate_universe's review

5.0

I journeyed with Holden Caulfield on his homeward journey from Pencey Prep to New York City for the third time over the past two days. I first read this when I was in my teens, a second time while in college, and now for the third time in my early 60s. It's still a great book and continues to entertain and cause me to think deeply.

knuckledown's review

5.0

Oh, Jerome David Salinger, you are truly the champion of wayward youth. Some people find this book pointless, but I have to disagree. After the hit-and-miss of Nine Stories, I wouldn't have been surprised to have this book come to an unsatisfying or just plain depressing end, but I actually found the end satisfactory.

Holden Caulfield is a great character. Some of his catchphrases get borderline overused ("That really depresses me" and "if you want to know the truth," for example.) However, his way with words gives him a very strong voice that distinguishes the novel. You can just tell that Salinger knows this character.

Things even get sweet when Holden talks about the two people he actually seems to like: his little sister Phoebe and his old friend Jane Gallagher. Phoebe was vivid and funny, and I like to think that Holden is in love with Jane. His love for them redeems him for me. What can I say? I love this book.

cherrybipie's review against another edition

sad 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

2.0

boltrunner's review

emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-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

3.5

evridiki_i's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sugar_b0nes's review

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.25