The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a novel that combines elements of depression and isolation into a rather entertaining plot. The story follows the main character, Holden Caulfield, after he is kicked out of his third boarding school due to lack of motivation. Before returning back to his home, Holden spends three days lingering around New York City contemplating the world and his role in it. Holden encounters a multitude of different people in relatively social situations, yet at the same time, feels oddly alone and secluded. Readers are able to follow Holden’s thoughts and read along as he realizes that everyone in the world works only for their own personal benefit. Everyone, in Holden’s opinion, is a “phony”, only basing their actions off of what they believe to be the most beneficial to themselves.
I was very entertained while reading The Catcher in the Rye. Although the novel deals with serious topics such as depression and adult insensitivity, the tone of the novel is rather light, not at all dark like one may believe. This tone is due somewhat to the fact that this novel is written in first person point of view. Holden’s experiences in the book are read through the eyes of the character himself, and in turn, readers are able to realize the simple mindedness of the child even though he deals with feelings that seem quite complex. This point of view shows readers that maybe even Holden does not exactly know why he feels the way he does about certain things.
The Catcher in the Rye is a story that any reader can relate to, no matter the age. Holden’s story is merely one in which he confesses all of his feelings, completely uncensored, to the readers. However, Holden never says any of his thoughts out loud, which I think is something that readers can sympathize with him for. Holden represents the mind of the average person and the first person point of view definitely enforces this.
I enjoyed the novel for its pure honestly and comical play of events. I would recommend The Catcher in the Rye to anyone that wants to read an entertaining, comical novel that deals with serious subjects. ( )

2001

First read in 10th grade, then again about 20 years later. Not sure what all the fuss is about. ( )

Do not read this book. I don't care what people say. It's not a work of art, the story is terrible, and the skill of Salinger's writing is overrated. This book is 297 pages of the biggest complainer telling the reader about how he "hates phonies" and "doesn't like it when people have cheap suitcases." There are a few intersting symbolic characters, but there is nothing entertaining about this book at all. Nothing interesting or exciting happens, and when it seems like something will, Holden does the opposite of what you want him to do, and you are annoyed once again.

Prior to reading this book, I was advised that it was amazing or just really bad. It just depends on your outlook of the story. I personally found the several different levels of this novel intriguing, though I did not catch on to them at first.
J.D. Salinger ingeniously portrays the main character, Holden Caulfield, as a multi-leveled teenager and captures every aspect of his young, teenage mind. His use of colloquial jargon adds to the extent to which teenagers today can relate to Holden. Throughout his life, Holden confronts several arduous situations to which he turns away. For his entire life, Holden feared growing up and held onto his childhood, hoping things would stay as they were. With his brother Allie's death constantly on his mind, Holden would constantly get frustrated, denying the fact that his brother was gone. His psychological issues took part in his failure in school and his resort to wandering around the city alone. However, for Holden, with every hardship came a learning experience, and his red hunting hat was there to comfort him the whole way. With his red hunting hat, Holden separated himself from the "phonies" in the world and portrayed his individuality.
Being that Holden's mind was filled with complications and mistrust, it was hard for him to find someone whom he could trust. His close relationship with his sister, Phoebe, gave Holden courage and subconscious happiness. He had told her, one day, that if he could do one thing for the rest of his life, it would to be the catcher in the rye.
This novel, though confusing, becomes quite exciting and very relative to the life of a teenager. I plan to read this novel when I am older to see if my outlook on this novel has changed over time. Overall, a good read. ( )