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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Unredeemly poorly written, uninteresting, uninspiringly boring. At least it was not pretentious. But certainly not worthy of the "classic" tag, nor in any way a required read.
dark
funny
reflective
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
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I understand the desire to fixate and exaggerate Holdens teenage angst and struggles but he just ended up feeling really not relatable and out of touch
I think throughout the whole book, one of the main reasons he felt the way he is, was because he couldn't grapple with the idea of adulthood. That later on explained in the ending of the book. Even if the wording didn't mention that he was still gripping onto childhood innocence, it was already hinted there.
That hit me, I guess. I guess I felt sorta sorry for Holden.
Edit:
I think I relate to Holden now?
That hit me, I guess. I guess I felt sorta sorry for Holden.
Edit:
I think I relate to Holden now?
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
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Teenage angst isn't exactly something that is new for us who have grown up in the 21st century. Not only has it been a topic of academic interest, but also pop culture and general conversation. Everyone speaks of it and so widespread is its nature that when kids act out we just dismiss it as them "being teenagers." Of course, it would be reductive if one were to dismiss it outright and not even think about the reasoning behind the occassional outburst and whether it may be more than just a swing of moods.
Salinger's book, which is now a classic, is an alarmingly accurate depiction of a young kid who finds himself alienated from everything around him. Alienated is probably the most appropriate word here because the way he perceives everything around him wouldn't be all that different if, say, an actual alien landed here and started making observations. A profoundly stupid analogy, yes, but it neatly summarises everything Holden Caulfield feels throughout the course of this book.
Personally, I feel that the greater one's perception of the world, the greater the sense of non-belonging. There are so many of us who have no problem fitting in but there's an equal number who finds the same act difficult. Holden feels the same way. He feels strange with his fellows, as if he can almost see through the veil that is the only thing most of the world sees of most people. So rare for him is meeting an actual and honest person that when he actually meets one, his mind finds a way of belittling that as well. It is a struggle and a remarkably relatable point of view that Salinger is able to portray perfectly. Holden's uncanny observations juxtaposed with the all-show society of New York is an engaging read and in some ways makes you ponder the state of our own surroundings, something this book will achieve no matter which time period it is read in.
The Catcher in The Rye is a beautiful story. It talks of a man struggling to find himself in a world that alienates those like him. It shows us a young kid who just wants to be around people who aren't doing what they're doing just because everyone else is. He hates the status quo, despises the social facade many of us subscribe to and abhors the depravity that all of these things entails. His story is relatable and at times, pretty damn funny. No matter what age or what time period you live in, Salinger's book will feel timely and I am sure that, as in my case, this story will speak to everyone at some point.
Salinger's book, which is now a classic, is an alarmingly accurate depiction of a young kid who finds himself alienated from everything around him. Alienated is probably the most appropriate word here because the way he perceives everything around him wouldn't be all that different if, say, an actual alien landed here and started making observations. A profoundly stupid analogy, yes, but it neatly summarises everything Holden Caulfield feels throughout the course of this book.
Personally, I feel that the greater one's perception of the world, the greater the sense of non-belonging. There are so many of us who have no problem fitting in but there's an equal number who finds the same act difficult. Holden feels the same way. He feels strange with his fellows, as if he can almost see through the veil that is the only thing most of the world sees of most people. So rare for him is meeting an actual and honest person that when he actually meets one, his mind finds a way of belittling that as well. It is a struggle and a remarkably relatable point of view that Salinger is able to portray perfectly. Holden's uncanny observations juxtaposed with the all-show society of New York is an engaging read and in some ways makes you ponder the state of our own surroundings, something this book will achieve no matter which time period it is read in.
The Catcher in The Rye is a beautiful story. It talks of a man struggling to find himself in a world that alienates those like him. It shows us a young kid who just wants to be around people who aren't doing what they're doing just because everyone else is. He hates the status quo, despises the social facade many of us subscribe to and abhors the depravity that all of these things entails. His story is relatable and at times, pretty damn funny. No matter what age or what time period you live in, Salinger's book will feel timely and I am sure that, as in my case, this story will speak to everyone at some point.