I didn't think I would like this as it was something we had to study for AS level but I actually enjoyed it. I will admit I'm not a big fan of the classics but this book is good despite the many criticisms I have heard about Holden Calufield's voice being irratating with the frequent use of 'phoney' and 'goddam'. I would still recommend it. ( )

J.D. Salinger showed his incredible talent with The Catcher in the Rye. The novel features protagonist Holden Caulfield who has just been flunked out of another school. He leaves his school and goes to New York, where he comes from. He does not want to go back home immediately however. The few days he's on his own in New York are narrated, up to the point he goes back home. The novel is narrated from the point of view of Holden, which allows the reader to have access to Holden consciousness and see events evolving from his perspective. Holden is mostly seen as an unreliable narrator because of his slanted view with regards to certain events and his rebellion against the adult world. Because Holden is the narrator of the fiction, the language is very colloquial, with the frequent usage of words like "swell" and "phony".
With The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger has for sure created a brilliant example of adolescent alienation and loss of innocence. Something to remember. ( )

Told by the main character, sixteen year-old Holden Caulfield, who has just managed to get himself kicked out of his fourth boarding school. He leaves the school, but decides to stay in New York for the night, to catch up with old friends before going home. There he displays distrubing even self-destructive behaviors. I read this as an adult, but my son read it in high school and claims it is his favorite. An epic tale of adolescence.

This book can be read by both high and low level high school readers. Low level readers will enjoy it, and high level readers will get a lot out of interpreting the themes.

I give Catcher in the Rye three stars for being interesting and picaresque, and because the narrator is a riot and I really enjoyed accompanying him on his various adventures.

But, I only give it three stars because I prefer that characters learn from their experiences, for better or for worse, and Catcher in the Rye provided no such satisfaction. This may be the book's point, but it's not my preference. ( )