|
| The Catcher in the Rye | 
 enlarge | Author: J. Salinger
Publisher: Penguin
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
Buy Used: £2.22
You Save: £6.77 (75%)
New (28) from £3.48
Avg. Customer Rating:  246 reviews
Sales Rank: 372
Media: Paperback
Edition: Revised edition
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 0.6
ISBN: 014023750X
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780140237504
ASIN: 014023750X
Publication Date: August 4, 1994
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence!
|
| Customer Reviews:
 If you're ageist you're not going to like this book October 6, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was surprised to read the variety of reviews this book has received. It is, quite simply, an astounding portrayal of adolescence. The possible reason then for mixed reviews? Read on ...
If you're an adolescent you'll identify with this book. If you're an adult you won't. However, if you're one of those rare breed of adults who can still remember what it was like to be young, and you haven't turned into a judgemental old person who forgets that they too did all of the things that they denigrate the young for, then you'll love it too.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if it weren't for the generation gap? Adults - we don't know better! If we did there wouldn't be adolescents like the subject of this book.
 A dissappointing tale well written. October 2, 2007
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
Top of the list when I decided to visit the Classics. Although I could identify in part with what Holden was feeling, I found the tale very dull. As an essay this would have ticked every box and would have scored very highly. It's a tale of Holden's journey to the city, where he goes to the Museum meets his little sister to whom he has too much affection, stays in a hotel, hires a prostitute then fails to sleep with her then returns home. It's all very cleaver but all very dull. I didn't expect an action book, nor a happy vibe but what I did at least expected was this to have a dull and numbing experience. All the same there will come a time when you will need to read this book due to its fascinating connections with infamous characters. Likened to have been read by serial killers, assassins and the like. I think if you have a depressing side to your own character you may find some solace in the fact that you are not unique but for many you will share in a depressing and angry young man's angst and misery. If you long for a fulfilling classic check out my favourite "To Kill a Mocking bird" fantastic beyond description. Ta.
 Dear god someone shut him up! September 23, 2007
3 out of 14 found this review helpful
I read it because it was such a big deal, but oh god!!!! That kid never stops moaning about meaningless things, never trying to be helpful/useful and he HAS to keep repeating himself over again and again!!! It drives me crazy!!! I suppose naturally people do repeat themselves during conversation, but reading it from a book is not fun at all! I don't mind swearing at all but this is too much, literally every sentence of it!! It's a very short story but it took me 2 months to finish the whole book because I can only read 1 page maximum at a time before my mind strides somewhere else...
My favourite book of all time September 21, 2007
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I first read this book when I was depressed 16 year old studying for my English Lit. A Level. I really thought that I could empathise with Holden.
Although after reading it again a few years later I realise that it is the lead up to a breakdown, due to the tragic events in his past.
Salinger's style is genuis the narrative style he employs so we only get Holden's stream of consciouness is excellent.
All morons hate it when you call them a moron. September 9, 2007
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
The first time I read this book I thought it was good. As a 17 year old, slightly cynical teenager myself, I found his views of the world and people around him liberating. I really felt like I connected with a young man who felt like one of the few really honest people around. I have to say, maybe if you don't share this view, then you probably will find Holden annoying, and fail to enjoy the book. However, after the first reading, I don't think I really understood what was happening, and felt a little confused at the ending.
I've just read it again, now 19, and I've finally got the point. It is the story of someone who has lost both their younger and older brother, and someone who cannot live up to the expectations of his successful family. And beyond this, it is the story of someone spiralling into depression and finally insanity, but it is told completely from their perspective and therefore it is very subtle. When people succumb to depression they do not know it is happening, even if the signs are there. And they are there, but you might need to re-read it to notice them. You have to remember the events described in the book are written from a point of view, and they may not have occurred as they are described. The genius of this book is, because of the way it is written, you believe that Holden's actions are normal and justified, when in fact they are the actions of a madman.
This book is thought provoking, witty, intelligent and written in an incomparable style. The narrative style makes it easy to read, but the story is deeper than it first seems. It is not a thriller. The plot is, essentially, pointless. It is there solely as another device of showing the decent of Holden into madness - rash decisions, irrational behaviour and mood swings. Even though he is going mad I still found myself loving his attitude toawrds the world. Again this might be because I share certain views with him. This is now my favourite book and I urge anyone to read it.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
