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diaday333's review against another edition
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
2.5
This book is definitely unpleasant to read in a way that a book written by a man about a man in the mid 1940s is. Makes me glad I veil. I saw one person say this book is really good, so I read it… Holden is just about the most annoying character ever. The only time I had some sort of emotional feeling was with Phoebe at the end. Just… no
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Homophobia
nancyboy's review against another edition
5.0
i think my deepest darkest secret for all my life is that i was secretly holden caufield. how this book is written is exactly how i monologue in my head. how holden has conversations with other poeple is exactly how mine all go. i understand other humans as much (or as little) as holden. re-reading it in my 20s i can now see how lonely holden is in a way i couldn't see how lovely i was as a teen and am still lonely now. me and holden have the same brain.
nancyboy56's review against another edition
5.0
i think my deepest darkest secret for all my life is that i was secretly holden caufield. how this book is written is exactly how i monologue in my head. how holden has conversations with other poeple is exactly how mine all go. i understand other humans as much (or as little) as holden. re-reading it in my 20s i can now see how lonely holden is in a way i couldn't see how lovely i was as a teen and am still lonely now. me and holden have the same brain.
sanszajn's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sageslove's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
al_jpacho's review
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Old Holden, the sonuvabitch!
I really enjoyed this book! Before starting, I read a few mixed reviews, many criticising Holden for being super unlikeable and just a straight up hater. But I have to disagree—Holden is actually quite relatable. On the surface, Holden gives off nonchalant and very cynical attitude about life (both are true), but as the book progresses, you do start to see the cracks in his façade as you get to understand what's going through his mind.
I really enjoyed this book! Before starting, I read a few mixed reviews, many criticising Holden for being super unlikeable and just a straight up hater. But I have to disagree—Holden is actually quite relatable. On the surface, Holden gives off nonchalant and very cynical attitude about life (both are true), but as the book progresses, you do start to see the cracks in his façade as you get to understand what's going through his mind.
The book covers interesting themes such as authenticity, loneliness, self-alienation, and the loss of innocence. I think these themes might fly over people's heads if you get too caught up in trying to grip onto an actual plot; there isn't much of one since he just sort of galivants around New York, plus I remember him saying that he disliked not being able to digress in a story (shoutout to him flunking oral expression), and most of this book is a huge digression.
I genuinely enjoyed Holden as a character. He's an angsty teen with a lot to learn. ALSO, he has to be somewhat neurospicy - impulsive, forgetful, easily bored but also easily excitable, jumping between thoughts, constantly ruminating about the past, and always horsing around. Overall, I think he was an interesting and complex character.
The last couple of chapters did make me kind of sad when you learn about some of his traumatic experiences, like the passing of his little brother, witnessing someone commit suicide, and potentially being sexually abused as a kid. Also, that teacher he stayed with near the end wtf - his creepy ah just stroking his head in the middle of the night.
selia's review
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ilovemydogsomuch's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kim_j_dare's review
4.0
Somehow I missed reading this one when I was growing up, so when a book club I'm in decided to read it this month, I was excited. That being said, reading it was hard... I found Holden's stream of consciousness narration so depressing. The first 200 pages were just slogging through trying to finish the darned thing. The final 75 pages are when I finally GOT why it's a classic. Worth reading? Absolutely. Enjoyable? Not so much.
pbender's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia