Reviews
Review by Student
The Catcher in the Rye was written in 1951, and it has been a highly influential and controversial book ever since. Holden Caulfield is the main character, and the story follows him through three days and nights in New York City after leaving Pency Prep. During the eventful days in New York City, Holden is reminded that the world is full of “phonies,” and that he is lonely and depressed as ever. The story is told in first person, and the reader is able to see Holden’s stream of consciousness. Holden’s main flaw is that he is a liar. He lies to others and himself, and that makes him an unreliable narrator. His cynical and cocky attitudes are obvious because of the way he interacts with others. He believes he is better than everyone, so he excludes himself from any and all groups.
J.D. Salinger’s novel has many themes, and most of them can be related to adolescence and growing up. One main idea in The Catcher in the Rye is the transition from child to adult. Holden believes that children are innocent and pure; growing up steals the good out of people. In the transition out of adolescence, teenagers may feel lonely and lost. Many teenagers since then have dealt with the same dilemma as Holden. This is why the novel has been a staple read in so many lives-- anyone can relate to it. I enjoyed The Catcher in the Rye. At first, like most novels, it was hard to get hooked on. After the initial confusion, I began to empathize with Holden and feel his struggles. In some ways, I am like him. Everyone can be cynical and mean sometimes. Looking at Holden’s actions and hearing his thoughts allowed me to see how he could be sincere at times, and it made me appreciate it. I was able to relate to Holden, and once he finally admits he is truly happy, I was sincerely happy as well. He is not always a likable character, but the readers can learn to like him, or at least understand him. I believe this novel will continue to have a large impact on all people, child or adult. The Guardian
Let's just say that this book is certainly one open to a lot of controversy and debate, yet that is what makes it such an interesting read. The Catcher in the Rye certainly wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, however I find it an exciting and compelling read, with a gallon of brutal reality poured in along with some humour, contrasting with moments of depression.
J.D. Salinger's novel is a wake-up call to all teenagers and in a sense, is an inspiring read because it sends out the message that we should all remain hopeful and true to ourselves. Teenagers can relate to it because of its complex themes of rebellion, identity and independence but I would recommend you read it before you're an adult otherwise you may have the urge to slap Holden for his actions when reading the book! |
Time
In [J.D. Salinger's] tough-tender first novel, The Catcher in the Rye (a Book-of-the-Month Club midsummer choice), he charts the miseries and ecstasies of an adolescent rebel, and deals out some of the most acidly humorous deadpan satire since the late great Ring Lardner.
For U.S. readers, the prize catch in The Catcher in the Rye may well be Novelist Salinger himself. He can understand an adolescent mind without displaying one. The Washington Post
From first page to last, "The Catcher in the Rye" is an exercise in button-pushing, and the biggest button it pushes is the adolescent's uncertainty and insecurity as he or she perches precariously between childhood, which is remembered fondly and wistfully, and adulthood, which is the great phony unknown. Indeed a case can be made that "The Catcher in the Rye" created adolescence as we now know it, a condition that barely existed until Salinger defined it. He established whining rebellion as essential to adolescence and it has remained such ever since.
"The Catcher in the Rye" is a maladroit, mawkish novel, but there can be no question about its popularity or influence. My own hunch is that the reason is the utter, innocent sincerity with which it was written. It may be manipulative, but it's not phony. A better, more cynical writer than Salinger easily could write a book about a troubled yet appealing teenager, but its artifice and insincerity would be self-evident and readers would reject it as false. Whatever its shortcomings, "The Catcher in the Rye" is from the heart -- not Holden Caulfield's heart, but Jerome David Salinger's. |