The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Catcher in the Rye
Book Review: A BODY MEET A BODY COMING THROUGH THE RYE!
Summary: 4 Stars
Throughout the book, Holden has so many diiferent things happening for him. From begining to end, there are some things that reveal soemthing about him. Such as the foils on the subway, the red hunting hat, the tumer, 'Giving her the time', etc. Even his dream about the children coming through the rye. It all adds up.=)Book Review: A PREPPY'S PRIVATE BREAK
Summary: 2 Stars
Don't let the title fool you into thinking that this slim novel is about baseball or even agriculture. Set against the nostalgic backdrop of World War II as it was winding down, CATCHER presents a series of flash backs from the 17-year-old protagonist, who is housed in a mental facility in California. Holden Caulfield at 16 is hardly a heroic type; rather he's a poor little rich kid who's just been expelled from his 4th boarding school. The entire 213 pages consist of Holden's non-stop personal revelations about himself, his family and his fellow students. Rarely requiring sleep or even sustenance, this whacked-out kid rambles during 100 pages to recount just one 24-hour period, leaving readers somewhat bewildered and breathless.
For various reasons Holden decides to leave Pencey Prep several days before their official Christmas break starts-thanks to cash from a generous grandmother. Taking a train to NY City-where he was raised-he tries to make it on his own for four days, before shamefully returning home to admit yet another academic debacle. During this time, when he drops below the parental radar screen, he experiences a series of social and physical adventures-most of which prove unsatisfactory or unsavory. His fertile brain spews out unceasing commentary on Life, plus those kids and adults who crossed his path; he dips ever deeper into flash backs about his previous schools.
Salinger's style of verbal gushing is easy to read-chatty and conversational, in fact--but the frantic pace can exhaust his readers. The way Holden abuses his body results in several bouts of illness for him, but his deepest wound may prove the death of his brother during the war. Were it not for the loyal devotion of his little sister, Phoebe, Holden might not be able to hang on his sanity as well as he almost has. He wonders if he needs faddish Psychoanalysis. Shrinkage is what he eventually gets, but is that the only path to the full recovery of his delicate psyche?
In the mid 80's one Ferris Bueller took a Day Off-- perhaps inspired by Holden's mid-Forties private break with reality. Contemporary teenagers may not sympathize with his anguished pilgrimage to escape the phonies of this world. CATCHER proves a grim roller coaster ride through the thought processes of a disturbed youth, who makes a point of honor to be NOT HOME-alone.
Book Review: A "must read" for Teens
Summary: 5 Stars
Catcher in the Rye is a fantastic book for all ages. I liked it a lot because I feel that most teenagers can relate to the main character, Holden Caulfield. The book shows his struggle to find an indentity and what choices to make in life. J.D. Salinger really really uses a great deal of literary devices in describing Holden's adventures. This book was a wonderful book in which I enjoyed reading on more than one occasion. I truly recommend it for everybody.Book Review: A BOOK THAT GETS BETTER EVERY TIME YOU READ IT
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read this book many, many times and each time I enjoy it even more. Brilliant writing, this book is a classic for a reason.Book Review: A Beacon of Hope for the Disenchanted
Summary: 5 Stars
It's a story about a young man who feels out of place in the world. I believe it is the book Salinger wished he could have read when he was Holden's age.It's a story of an angry young man, so young he doesn't know how angry he is. He burns bridge after bridge in his search for meaning. It's the bender I always meant to go on, but now don't need to. Salinger imparts to the reader the wisdom Holden miraculously finds. If you seek this wisdom, this book is for you. If you ever had a doubt about the world and its limitless hypocrisy, this book is for you. Otherwise try "Jurrasic Park."