Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
In this book, Holden Caulfield is telling us his story of the time that he got expelled from his fancy all-boys school known as Pencey Prep because he was failing four of his classes. Holden has had enough of the school and he’s happy that he is finally out of the school. Winter break is near and he only has to wait a few more days until he leaves. After getting into a fight with his roommate, he decides to leave early. He already knows that if he goes home early his parents would realize that he’s been kicked out. Therefore, he goes to - Reviewed by Ani M., grade 9.
Comments
Holden’s journey begins on a Saturday in December just before school closes for Christmas break. He has been informed of getting expelled from Pencey Prep School. This is not new to him because he has been kicked out of other schools before this but, what worries him about this expulsion is his parents’ reaction to him getting expelled from another school. Holden had a roommate named Stradlater in Pencey but then he got beaten up by him because he kept bothering Stradlater about a girl he liked from his past that Stradlater was dating. He could not bear to remain in the dormitory after he has been beaten up by his roommate Stradlater and on a whim, he decides to leave the same night. However, he does not want to face his parents until they have recovered from the news of him getting expelled once again. So Holden decides to stay in a cheap hotel in New York City. While in New York City, Holden goes through this whole revelation of his past and his life in the pres ent. One big part of this is his younger sister Pheobe. During the time in New York City, Holden kept thinking about how great his sister Pheobe was and how much he missed her. She ended up helping Holden get over the depression he was going through caused by his expulsion and having Holden return home to his parents. This is not the end of the story. At the very end of the book Holden leaves off by saying he will not narrate the rest of his life after he returns home, but gives the reader signs to what exactly happens to him in the future.
This book was great. The whole time i was reading this I was bound to the story, if you will. The plot is very realistic and gives off so many different perspectives you can view the world from. I am very impressed by the author's ability to write a 200+ page book including only four days of story progression. I first picked this book up in my school library and i read the first chapter. I remember thinking o myself that this book is one of the few books that keeps me interested through out the whole story line. Another reason I picked this nook up to read was because it is for the AP Literature course at my school, and I wondered what a book in that class would be like. The only thing i disliked about the book was that it ended in a "finish the story" kind of way. Over all the book was one of the most engaging books I have read so far in my life.
Reviewed by Sky, Grade 9
Central Library
"Catcher in the Rye" is not my most favorite book, but you learn many life lessons from it. One lesson you can learn is that you SHOULD take life seriously, because you only live once and you wanna live it right. Holden makes a lot of mistakes and at the end you see where he's ended up, because of mistakes he had made when he was younger. Another lesson we can learn is that you should never be afraid to talk to your parents and you should always ask them for advice.
Reviewed by A.J., Grade 10
Grandview Library
The story of Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye has been carved perfectly to match the adolescences’ way of thinking and speaking. I was speechless after finally reading something that captures the youth’s sentimentality so accurately. Holden Caulfield is quite an unlikable character, and he definitely isn’t the protagonist that I would aspire to become or even be near; but then I understood that secretly a part of me will always be like him. The heart touching alienation of Holden Caulfield teaches us to empathize with him. And he empathized back with us without any hesitation. I finally felt relaxed. No novel has ever moved me this emotionally to a point where I found myself eagerly drowning in the cozy truth it spoke. I’d read this masterpiece all over again and I also highly recommend it to everyone because the magic of the story that Holden tells is remarkable.
Reviewed by Anonymous, by 12
Glendale Central Library
When I first read this book, I found myself constantly annoyed with Holden. His fatalist view of the world and long rants struck me the wrong way; after all, he was at a beautiful boarding school and receiving a sufficient education that would set him on a secure path for the rest of his life – so what if some students were snobs? Where was his gratitude? Needless to say, I began the book with a rather unforgiving view of Holden Caufield, yet unexpectedly ended with a profound understanding that Holden; he truly embodies the angst, depression, and fear of growing up. This book, while it may not gain your favor within the first few chapters, is one of the most insightful, symbolic, and heartfelt pieces of literature I've read so far. It will not entice you with flowery or even polite language, and to find the importance and depth of this novel, it must be diligently analyzed and reflected upon; nonetheless, it is a valuable read that has shaped my sophomore year – as I've matured, I've come to adopt a more empathetic view towards Holden, and have at times even related to him. I advise anyone who enjoys analyzing symbols, character development, and rhetoric to read this book; it is a good reminder that you are not alone in growing up, and that the fear that comes with maturing truly is universal.
Reviewed by Lola J., Grade 10
Casa Verdugo Library
I didn't like The Catcher in the Rye much when I read it 1 year ago because I didn't understand much of what was going on. However when I recently read it again with an audio book I liked it much more because of the characters that take place in the story. The characters are very relate able and they help progress the story well. I would recommend this book to most people who want to read a good but sometimes confusing book.
Reviewed by AB, Grade 9
Grandview Library
I really enjoyed this book. This would probably be one of the most interesting books I had ever read. It was very interesting how the reader got the explore the characters mind and go through his breakdown. It made be want to keep reading to know how the character dealt with his mentality. I truly recommend this book to most people who want to feel like they are in the book and alongside the character in the story.
Reviewed by E.B., Grade 9
Grandview Library
I hate this book. Holden is such an unlikable character and is very infuriating. He is not a reliable character and tends to curse too much for my liking. I did like the stream of conscious type of writing because it is interesting to read thoughts. There is a lot of symbolism and it is very vague. The only good part of the novel was when he explained the meaning of the title. It was a fast, but aggravating book. People should only read this book if it is required for school.
Reviewed by Stacy, Grade 12
Pacific Park Library