Reviews

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

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kassiopeija's review

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adventurous reflective medium-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

3.5

bookswmoony's review

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I think if you consider mental health as a factor in this book, Holden transforms from a whiny teenager into an obviously depressed boy that has been in nothing but solitude his entire life, except for the two things keeping him going, Pheobe and Allie.

Probably my favorite book I read this year, (started in 2021).

akshatha_murthy's review

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1.0

This one was just not for me.

greeneerie's review

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dark funny reflective medium-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

5.0

he's so me

naecocificap's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

crock_potiii's review

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adventurous dark emotional 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

Well. When I read this book I didn't really see the point of it but after really thinking about it I can see the point. What that point is? I couldn't really articulate it to you in words. Maybe in expressions and noises of grief. But this story, I believe, just explores a child's (because that's what he is) psyche while in grief as he battles dark emotions. It's like... hm. Yeah. I want to hug this kid. Bad.

And had he not had in younger sister, I think he would've killed himself.

Also. South Park.

yv_tte's review

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funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

it's actually insane how much more i liked the catcher in the rye as an adult! i remember being unimpressed my sophomore year of high school i genuinely dont think at 15/16 i truly was able to understand what was going on in this book but i think it's quite entertaining and clever now and i have no beef w holden caulfield. if anything i'd like to queen out w this diva. Awesome book

General Notes Thoughts Impressions etc:

- Holden is a fucking riot of a narrator. He calls everyone phony and corny and while corny still maintains relevance in the modern-day lexicon, phony does kinda date the novel. You’d just call someone fake now. maybe a poser 10-15 years ago.
- holden saying “that killed me” every 5 mins. It also killed me. i find it funny how a book from so many years ago still feels fresh so many years later. “it killed me” and all the perspectives on hating insincere people still hits home today in 2024
- holden such an atheist diva. Legit need 2 queen out w him. SRS!!!! i genuinely think he’s so freaking hilarious 😭😭 when he said he doesnt fw jesus’ disciples 💀💀 or that if there was another war they could take him out back and shoot him dead via firing squad. What a hoot.
- i was actually quite taken aback by the amount of unprocessed grief/trauma holden carries around another thing i presume flew over my head in high school. it genuinely feels refreshing reading this with adult eyes, and i can definitely see myself rereading this novel even more years down the road to see how i feel about it then too.
- eurghhh the stuff about Allie. Guau. soul crushing. Oh holden.
- the fleeting allusion to sexual harassment / assault he’s experienced since childhood. Hm. i hope we can beat mr antolini with rocks.
- why was i so gagged when the james castle suicide came up?? HE WAS TEETH AND BONES AND BLOOD AND HOLDEN’S TURTLENECK. that was genuinely insane. wtf.