Chain Reading

The Catcher in the Rye

Book Details

Written by J.D. Salinger.
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Editorial Review (from Amazon.com)

Holden, knowing he is to be expelled from school, decides to leave early. He spends three days in New York City and tells the story of what he did and suffered there.

User Reviews (4) Login or create an account to write a review.

refusejesus@hotmail.com thinks this book is Excellent.

I have yet to meet anyone my age who can say this is a bad book. Salingers classic tale of one adolescents rite of passage.

Caitra thinks this book is Nothing Special.

Having heard so much about this book I had been looking forward to reading Catcher in the Rye but once I did I was very disappointed.

I found it hard to stay interested in the story. I didn't feel that it flowed very well and it wasn't too descriptive. Some variety in the use of adjectives would also have been quite nice. I got quite sick of everyone being described as old. 'Old Phoebe', 'Old Sally', 'Old Jane' etc.

I can see why this book was banned in the 1950's but in this day and age I didn't find the plot too rebellious and it left me cold.

Donna thinks this book is Nothing Special.

The vast majority of people my age read this book because it's either required in school or simply because its a famous work of classical literature. The book however prooves to be nothing but a disappointment to those reading it mearly for the read rather than the pretentious stature one recieves upon finishing such a highly noted piece of literature. Many my age find this book lacking becuase the contraversy so definined during its time is gone. The main characters problems are nothing unusal for todays youth.

Nikki thinks this book is Excellent.

Even though I had to read this book for a class in high school, I actually really enjoyed it. It's not often a book uses the word "crap" on the very first page. I think it really captures the inner thoughts of a boy who is lost in the world that surrounds him. While it may seem slow in some places, I think this story of a day in the life of a young man in New York is very interesting.

The dialect is really great, and you really get a feel for the voice of the main character. It uses a lot of slang words from the 50s, which makes it seem so much more real.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys something a little edgier, with a narriator that thrives on bending the rules.