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From Amazon.co.uk
Since his debut in 1951 as The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has been synonymous with "cynical adolescent". Holden narrates the story of a couple of days in his 16-year-old life, just after he's been expelled from prep school, in a slang that sounds edgy even today and keeps this novel on banned book lists. It begins:
If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two haemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them.His constant wry observations about what he encounters, from teachers to phonies (the two of course are not mutually exclusive), capture the essence of the eternal teenage experience of alienation. --Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk Review
Since his debut in 1951 as The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has been synonymous with "cynical adolescent". Holden narrates the story of a couple of days in his 16-year-old life, just after he's been expelled from prep school, in a slang that sounds edgy even today and keeps this novel on banned book lists. It begins:
If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two haemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them.His constant wry observations about what he encounters, from teachers to phonies (the two of course are not mutually exclusive), capture the essence of the eternal teenage experience of alienation. --Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
89 of 91 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Given this as a present from a friend, I felt obliged to read this alleged 'classic'. Initially, I felt burdened to read what the popular consensus deemed as a book to be remembered in the ages to come.
The first few pages eased me in, with little event to give an impression of what the book would be like as a whole. But, with every paged turned, the book became so engrossing which lead to that 'don't want to eat, drink or sleep until I have finished this book' feeling.
The book is short and thrives in its simplistic thought patterns of the narrator. Simplistic but actually with deep feeling and meaning. The book is simply fascinating, following the decisions and thoughts of a boy seeking fulfilment in his life away from school, having been expelled from school.
J D Salinger style of writing is natural and fluid with great communication of a boy struggling with his insecurities, enjoying his objects of happiness and feeling around for a grasp of his own personality. It is a natural and, to a certain extent, slow moving and limited in spectacular and dramatic events. But, don't let this put you off, it is part of the purposeful magic that J D Salinger spills into this fantatic book.
I can only recommend this book and praise it for what it is. Get reading it, even if its people telling you its good - because it is!
53 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has been challenged and banned in many places since its publication. It is amusing to think that, nowadays, as if it were given an age rating it would probably only get a PG, or a 12.
Critics have described Holden as a cynical teenager, but maybe we should reconsider that thought and turn it back on itself? Holden is an innocent, he can barely cope with the cynical world at all. He is so innocent and alone that he tries to get a prostitute to just chat and keep him company.
He has been through some awful things, and he is desperately lonely. Nobody seems to notice he is falling apart, he is adrift in an uncaring world.
The book is somewhat dated, but it is still something that teenagers could get a lot from. In fact, anybody who feels they can relate even a little to the protagonist should pick it up too.
The lack of accountability by his teachers about his disappearance really do mark this as reaching out from an earlier era, as do things like the causal racial references. So why has a book which in many respects is outdated stayed as one of the major books set in English classes across the world? It must surely be the strength of emotion and the poignancy that shines through; Holden is still a character that can be identified with, even by todays adolescents. He is an exquistitely rendered character, and through his story you can learn a lot about yourself as well.
Critics have described Holden as a cynical teenager, but maybe we should reconsider that thought and turn it back on itself? Holden is an innocent, he can barely cope with the cynical world at all. He is so innocent and alone that he tries to get a prostitute to just chat and keep him company.
He has been through some awful things, and he is desperately lonely. Nobody seems to notice he is falling apart, he is adrift in an uncaring world.
The book is somewhat dated, but it is still something that teenagers could get a lot from. In fact, anybody who feels they can relate even a little to the protagonist should pick it up too.
The lack of accountability by his teachers about his disappearance really do mark this as reaching out from an earlier era, as do things like the causal racial references. So why has a book which in many respects is outdated stayed as one of the major books set in English classes across the world? It must surely be the strength of emotion and the poignancy that shines through; Holden is still a character that can be identified with, even by todays adolescents. He is an exquistitely rendered character, and through his story you can learn a lot about yourself as well.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've been promising myself to read this book for ages having noted references by other people and assumed there must be something special about it. I have just finished reading it and my assumption was correct. The adolescent Holden Caulfield reveals his thoughts and feelings, and I think we can all relate to these as he drifts into a nervous breakdown. His misadventures and mishaps are heart-wrenching as are his recollections of his late brother and his love for his younger sister. How times have changed from the post-war era that it's set in, he sets off on a suburban train into New York late at night and the mother of one his fellow students gets on alone! An absolute 'must' read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A classic, and the "whiney Holden" fallacy.
It appears that many people seem to misunderstand the point of this book and simply hate it because the narrator is a whiney, spoiled brat. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Tark Mwain
Excellent; must read for modern youth.
I bought this book after several recommendations from friends. Beforehand I read up about the novel(with the power of google and wikipedia)and I discovered that the novel has been... Read more
Published 20 days ago by GhostfaceKilluh
Not what I expected. In a bad way.
As I'm studying English Literature at university, I'd thought I'd try and read as many "classic" novels as I could just to broaden my literature knowledge. Read more
Published 1 month ago by dawnage
A touching portrayal of adolescent loss.
This classic work is not so much a depiction of teen delinquency and antipathy as it is a touching portrayal of one boy's attempts to cope with grief. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Timothy W. Dumble
A classic good read in a day.
I read this book in a day because it was such a riveting read. Last read it for my english exam.
Published 1 month ago by Lozza
LOVED it
This book sucks you in !
I started to read it one night before making dinner and literally couldn't put it down. Read more
I started to read it one night before making dinner and literally couldn't put it down. Read more
Published 1 month ago by clarebear
A Classic... Really?!
Holden Caulfield is the narrator of this novel. He tells of a mundane episode of his life which occured between two major events. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nikkie
Like a piece of controversial art
I have just finished reading this book as I am trawling through some of the all time classic reads.
It can be compared to a piece of intricate art hanging in a gallery... Read more
It can be compared to a piece of intricate art hanging in a gallery... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. J. E. Gray
Ruined for me
This novel was completely and utterly ruined for me by the appalling grammar. I recommend JD Salinger reads Lynn Truss's wonderful 'Eats Shots and Leaves?' immediately.
Published 2 months ago by wendy jones
not very good
was pritty much a boring read about a whiney teenager with alot of money pointless ending one of the worst books ive read avoid this unless u fancy reading about some kid moaning... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jamie Phillips
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