Is "The Catcher In The Rye" any good ?

Question

I bought it yesterday and will be reading it soon, but I wouldn't mind some feedback.

Answer 1

It's a wonderful book. Holden Caulfied was voted the post popular fictional character of the Twentieth Century.
When you finish the book, please tell me where do the ducks in Central Park go in the winter?

Answer 2

Well, it is a classic, and it's a classic for a reason, as it's clearly had a big impact on millions of readers. However, I really disliked it, as I just couldn't understand the main character, and didn't have much sympathy for him at all. He struck me as whiny, self absorbed and irritating. Which I suppose is true for so many teenagers. Were the character alive today, he'd be an emo angsty Myspace teen, albeit rather more articulate than most. Either that appeals to you, and you think it's genius, or it doesn't, and you want to shake him into common sense.

Read it yourself and make your own mind up.

Answer 3

Yes.

I read it at 16 and somehow managed not to jump off a very high bridge. I think I didn't have a suitable bridge handy. All the same, I had to "borrow" 10p from a kind stranger to call a girl I was besotted with and force her to make me believe in life again. Ah! those phone boxes...

I re-read it at 34 and had a totally different reaction to it - I understood Holden from the outside this time, rather than virtually becoming him like I had done first time around.

Answer 4

It's a good read, but I found it overrated. Salinger is very capable of getting across what he intends, but I found the story uninteresting and the main character is difficult to feel empathy for because his emotions are so bizarre. If you like this book, I would recommend A Confederacy of Dunces by J.K. Toole. It's a similar writing style but the main character is an amusing one rather than a depressing one.

Answer 5

This book BLOWS! Its about a whiny little ***** who would rather run away than to stand up and be a man. It the playbook for the entire 'Me' generation. And by them I mean the BabyBoomers and anyone who was too young to fight in WWII.

This country sucks and it's all their fault. Whether you're a Democrat or Republican it does not matter. I blame ALL the problems of today on the people born between 1930 - 1967.

Answer 6

I thought it was an entertaining story, I am not quite sure about the serial killer connection except that the main character houlden was a bit of an intrevert and possesed qualities that could be associated with the type of pathological tendencies of someone that could kill others. a bit obnoxious at times and over the top. You want to punch the kid, but worth the read

Answer 7

Holden Caufield's mind is ridden with agnsty prep boy attitude. The book is largely based on the four days he stayed in New York alone and all the different people and odd situations he gets caught in.

The author gives a pyschological-in depth look to a misunderstood boy who tries to find his way in life.

Answer 8

Yes. When it came out in the 50's it was pretty controversial because it's about a kid who was not exactly "Leave it to Beaver" material. It's pretty tame by today's standards but it's still a good read. Besides, it's a classic and it looks good on your resume. Read "Lord of the Flies" next.

Answer 9

Yes, I read it a few months ago.

Everyone finds Holden to be such a compelling character. A lot of people can relate to him at some point in their lives. I guess that is why a lot of people like this book.

Answer 10

It's an amazing classic. I can tell you that it had a different impact on me when I reread it as an adult. I had first read it as a 17 year old.

Salinger is a genius though and I loved reading in Holden Caufield's voice.

I hope you enjoy it!