Why do so many people hate The Catcher in The Rye?

Question

I don't understand it at all! I read it the first time two weeks ago and totally fell in love with Holden Caufield.

Anyone want to share why they hate it so much?

Answer 1

People who don't/can't identify with Holden (such as many of his classmates in the book), people who wouldn't like a real-life Holden if they were to meet him, people who may have liked Holden when they were younger, but now find him to be an insufferable, whiney adolescent.

Answer 2

The biggest complaint I've heard about it is that it winds you up for so much, and never gets anywhere.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Catcher, and Holden is the greatest angsty teenager alive, but it's actually true. I mean, he's going through these situations where he's discovering things and even, on some level, achieving his goals, and where does he end up? In a lunatic asylum, saying that he's going back to exactly where he was to start off with. You think there'll be a big epiphany, that Holden will realize that he's being silly and pick himself up and move on, but he doesn't. It's like you never read it!
And also, yeah, the "great American literature" factor puts people off a little, too.
But just to be fair, I really do love Catcher in the Rye. I just have lots of rant-prone friends who don't!

Answer 3

I actually loved that book. The character Holden Caufield was your rebellious adolescent that did not fit in with the typical popular adolescent crowd. He actually was too smart for the nonsense that they usually teach in high school which is why he didn't last in any of the schools that he attended. They bored him to death. But most students who are not avid readers hate to be forced to read anything that has to do with homework assignments, so therefore they tend to dislike any form of literature that is recommended let alone required.

Answer 4

Yeah, being forced to read it. Many young people read without getting into it. They need a reason to pay attention, maybe? After (supposedly) reading these stories, students ask why Aeneas is a hero, and what unusual thing happens in "The Fall of the House of Usher." Did they not read the stories (which, in a way, would be a relief), or did their eyes merely gloss over the words? Or do they not know what a hero is or why a woman believed to be dead coming back to life is unusual?

Some people (adults included) just cannot bring themselves to sit down and read. I'm not implying a lack of discipline, but I mean that in the same way that I have a hard time forcing myself to figure out how a car engine works.

Sorry I got carried away there!

Answer 5

I love that book. Its actually, well probably on my top 3 favorites.
I too fell in love with holden. Hes a great character. I honestly don't think i could understand why anyone would hate that book.

I havent heard many people say they hate it, more say they didn't care for it, or they wouldn't read it again.

Answer 6

I actually reading that now for my book club and i like it but Holden seems to be unliked with his judgemental and I don't care ways. I haven't finished yet, so i don't know if that'll change.

Answer 7

Just having to read it for class is enough to do it for some; I liked it but didn't think it was as amazing as it was cracked up to be.

Answer 8

i have a feeling that it's because it's
turned into one of the those "classic
books" that you have to read for school.

so people kind of dread it.