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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780316769174
ISBN: 0316769177
Label: Back Bay Books
Manufacturer: Back Bay Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 288
Publication Date: January 30, 2001
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Sales Rank: 764
Studio: Back Bay Books
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Ever since it was first published in 1951, this novel has been the coming-of-age story against which all others are judged. Read and cherished by generations, the story of Holden Caulfield is truly one of America's literary treasures.
Amazon.com 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 sixteen-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 hemorrhages 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.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Caught
As an English major and a lover of books, reading and writing, I probably shouldn't admit this...but up until this past week I had never cracked the cover or even read any kind of overview (back of the book blurb or otherwise) of The Catcher in the Rye. It's always been on my "list" to eventually read, but it never climbed up to the top until now.
I don't know if it is/was taught at my High School, but I do know that it wasn't on the required reading list for me in Honors or AP English. I also know that the book was banned for many years and I wouldn't be surprised if there was still a ban (even if unofficial) of it at Viewmont. I decided to do a quick stats check on it being banned and saw that interestingly it has a very divided history. Up until the 80s, it was the most banned/censored book in high schools & libraries. In the early 80s it was paradoxically the "most censored book" and the "second most taught book" in public schools. In situations where it isn't banned outright, it pushes its way into the top 20 list of "most frequently challenged book."
From a super high level reading, I can see where the angst against the book comes from. The book is FULL of profanity from the first page to the last ranging from the more commonplace to the F-bomb. It doesn't help matters that this language is coming from a teenager, the narrator Holden Cawfield. Add to that the fact that this same teenager (and most people he associates with) are constantly smoking and drinking. ... Read More
Rating:  - A Classic What?
I'm not sure what I expected with The Catcher in the Rye, but it was a lot more than what I received.
Going into the book, I knew little to nothing about the book except that it was a classic and Holden was supposed to be an icon. Maybe it is the fact that I'm 20 years past being a teenager, maybe it is that I got lost in the lingo of the 50s and maybe I just believed the hype too much, but I was severely disappointed. I did not like Holden in any way shape or form. I thought he was a whiner and the biggest phony of the bunch. I had no trouble with the drinking, or smoking or cussing, I just did not like him and can not recommend this book.
Rating: - Totally Lost
Several times I have tried to read this book and just couldn't focus. I know, I am supposed to read it and like it. But it sure missed it's mark with me.
I recall nothing of my youth that even resembled this. Nor anyone I knew resembled this.
To me, this book is pretty much some 60 year old lady's view of what she'd have thougth a teenage boy's life was like.
Anyway, what a waste of my time forcing this down much like having to eat brussel sprouts as a kid (as a matter of fact that's closer to most kid's youth than this book)
Rating: - Greatly Disappointing
I had high hopes for this apparent classic by J.D. Salinger. Like everyone else, I had heard immense praise for the book, and was expecting an American classic such as To Kill a Mockingbird. I was extremely disappointed. I would venture as far to say that it is one of the worst books I've ever read. For starters, there is no plot. The book is just a haphazard collection of stories that are mostly insignificant and confusing. I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen, but it never did. Holden just kept wandering and doing the same thing over and over. Another point, the book is ridiculously and unnecessarily repetitive to the point that I wanted to rip the book to shreds. Every time I read the word "phony", "madman", "crazy", or the like made me angrier and kept me wanting to get the book over with. Also, the way Holden talks about "giving old Jane Gallagher a buzz" (and then never doing it) about 100 times adds to the frustration (he calls almost everyone "old"...). I do see the meaning behind this book, and the symbols, but that does not make up for a poorly written, boring book. The use of language, the endless repetition, and the lack of plot truly disappointed me. In my opinion, this book is not worth a read.
Rating: - Rife with symbolism, foreshadowing and irony; couldn't wait to see how it ended
This is the first 300-page book I've ever read in one sitting -- and I'm not a big novel reader. I just couldn't wait to see how it ended. There is so much symbolism in the book, you almost need an algorithm to keep track of it.
So, why is this an American classic? Do you other reviewers even need to ask? This is literature at its finest. The writing is excellent -- try to remember that books were not written in this conversational tone in 1951. The genius of this book is that the author is talking directly to the reader through Holden Caulfield! YOU are the psychoanalyst! This is what most people (and reviewers) overlook about this novel. The burden is on the reader to (gradually) figure out the protagonist's pathology -- just like a real psychologist would.
Other reasons this is an American classic: the masterful use of foreshadowing, irony and symbolism.
I won't ruin it for you if you haven't read it, but go get it and read it. Buy it on a Friday, though, since you probably won't be able to put it down until you finish it.
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