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The Catcher in the Rye
- By J. D. Salinger
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
One of the greatest novels of the 20th century.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book remains one of the best books about adolescence ever written. Any language used -- and it is chock full of mild to moderate swearing, and "f--k" is used several times -- is in the service of being true to the nature of a rebellious teen. There are also lots of sexual references, and everyone smokes and drinks -- including the underage protagonist. Holden refers to homosexuals as "flits." People have used these instances in an effort to have the book banned. But those who would do so miss the point of the book, which is a compassionate tale of a child adrift in the world. It's an American classic that everyone should read.
What's the story?
Holden Caulfield, about to be kicked out of yet another boarding school for flunking most of his courses, decides not to wait until the end of term and takes off for his hometown, Manhattan, a few days early. He figures he'll hole up in a cheap hotel, look up a few friends, then arrive home on time. But Holden is deeply troubled by the death of his beloved younger brother from leukemia, as well as a classmate's suicide. Alone in an uncaring city, his already fragile psyche begins to unravel.
Is it any good?
There are three true things that can be said about J.D. Salinger's masterpiece: It is one of the great works of American literature, it is one of the most frequently challenged by would-be book-banners, and, therefore, it is one of the most misunderstood books of the 20th century. It has been challenged and banned for all of the reasons mentioned above in the content advisories. But those who challenge it fail to see the forest for the little swearword trees. They have called Holden a cynical teenager, when in fact he's such a compassionate innocent abroad that he can hardly cope with the cynical world at all: He's so innocent and so alone that he tries to get a prostitute to just chat and keep him company (alas, no heart of gold here). Desperately lonely, adrift in what seems to him an uncaring world, he has been through some terrible experiences, and no one at all seems to have noticed that he's crumbling.
It's true that much of it is somewhat dated now. Yet there's a reason this book has stayed in print, is stocked in nearly every bookstore, and has been assigned in nearly every high school for the past 50-plus years: Its emotional power and poignancy are still as strong as ever, and Holden's inner self is just as recognizable to teens today as it has ever been. This is one of those books that everyone should read as a teen. At a time (1951) when "teen" and "adolescent" were barely concepts in the American mind, Salinger captured the adolescent voice and way of thinking more perfectly -- and more poignantly -- than just about anyone before or since. Holden Caulfield holds a place in the American psyche akin to Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer: an exquisitely rendered character with whom nearly anyone can identify.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the ways in which the content of the book, which is set in New York City in the early 1950s, might be considered dated by today's standards. How are Holden's experiences different from those of a modern teenager? If there are differences, are there also things in Holden's world that have largely stayed the same in terms of teenage life?
Do you relate to Holden in any way? Do you admire him, or do you pity him? Or is it a little of both?
Why do you think this book is considered so important -- and why do you think it's been one of the most frequently challenged books when it comes to censorship?
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AGE
Judgement.
listen i don't normally give my opinion on anything on the internet. actually not at all. but i feel responsible for having to say something. parents and teens or even kids need to realize something about this book. whether a book is good or bad is of utter opinion. But the importance of it is all to real.My name is Christian A. Guevara and im not your average teen. Im a little smarter than most and almost completely isolated in my way of thinking in the sense that i always think in a more moral philosophical view. It is important for me to tell you who i am for you to truly understand. look the world is what it is. It does not provide cushions for you when you face reality. And each person has their own view on it depending on how they grew up. On this particular book, its from the perspective of a specific teenager. so if you dont understand where he is coming from or have no idea why he feels the way he does except through over opinioted reviews, then please dont jump to say your negative 2 cents about it. of course opinions are to be respected and you have every right to do so but think thourougly before doing so because you might drive others away from what might be a life changing read for the reader. both parents and kids of a certain age need to realize that although people are grey areas, the world is black and white. it is what it is, to put it simply.I connected to this book in the sense that my way of thinking is the same as Holden. Yes, he is selfish and a madman. Is this bad? It is not for us to say. It has been benifitial to me and everyone around me that i love. Holden is a fictional character that represents what many of us have gone through, and is the manifestation of what just a few of us have gone through. Parents, love it or hate it this book depicts the truth going on around our world. You of all people should know that this vulgar language is only as bad as we make it. It is in every day life, and honestly its not that big a deal.Neither is sexuality. Its not so much the age of the kid as much as it is the moral values, intelligence and manor to which the child has been raised. If the child has been raised in a non tolerant household that fluffs up the real world, of course the child is going to be disturbed by this. and kids, teens, whatever, please read this book. hell, you might not make the least bit connection with it but it is a very real statement and your first insight of the truth. All his complaining, which i agree he does frequently is a message. These are very real problems facing the world from ignorant blondes at a bar to the ultimate future and ignorant state of mind that our innocent children are going to grow up to face. I dont recommend you read this book until your 16 though. not because of the language or the sex or the violence or the moral aspect of it. live your life with open eyes and observe silently. if all goes well, when you read this book youll see the very nature of the true geniuses living around you. and youll realize that mostly all the time, the "smart people" arent always the ones getting straight A's.
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AGE
let 'em read it!
Kids these days hear more swearing on through the media, so a little swearing from this book isn't going to hurt.
Stop being such a prude and let your kid read it.
It is an awesome book!
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AGE
Parents i know you think this book isnt good enough for your kids but truthfully this is what they go to school and talk about. This is what they see everyday on t.v and in magazines. They are going to learn it one way or another. Have your kid read the book and talk about it together what your views on it was. The worst thing you can do is try to protect your kid from the big bad world.. because thats going to hurt them in the long run. I think kids should start reading this about 6th or 7th grade.
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AGE
O.K, but not great.
This book really isn't that great, I think. Though i can see what people see in it, I get it. To me though, Holden is an unreliable, unlikable character, he complains a lot, and drastically changes his opinions through out the whole book. Also I feel as though he lies to the readers as well, about certain stories, like how he was almost in a short film because he was such a good golfer...
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AGE
Good for teens, people with an open-mind, and teens that have the ability to analyze deeper in the literature
This book has a deeper message then meets the eye. after reading it, i thought, what was the point of this? I felt that it never went anywhere the entire time, until i looked deeper in certain chapters and quotes, i looked up on websites which analyzed the book more clearly and it opened my eyes to the pure message of this book.
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AGE
Unbelievable
This is such a disappointing piece of work. I am all for self expression through literature but one has absolutely no need for revolting profanity an continuous sexual reference to do so. Catcher in the Rye is a highly unenjoyable piece and I wish I hadn't been forced to read it through my school's curriculum. What a waste.
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AGE
A readable classic! A teen must read!
This is truely the definition of a "readable classic". Even though I'm a huge bookworm, I'm usually somewhat hesitant to pick up something even remotley resembling a classic, and usually push myself through them. This one was different. Holden was such a unique and developed character, and even though his story was over 50 years old, it's still so relatable with what today's teens are like. I loved his misadventures and his descriptions of the world as he knew it. I loved his relationships and feelings about different things. He truely feels like a character who will never age. There are some things that SOME people might not be comfortable with, like his smoking, drinking, and sometimes vulgar language, but that was all the times. Personally, I think if you want to ban a book, you could find a LOT worse then this one. Even though there is some "iffy" stuff, the good clearly outweighs the bad in this fabulous classic read.
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AGE
the catcher in the rye
i thought it was OK but not great.i love holdens character a lot. but you can tell he lies a lot. at first when i got to the in of the book i thought he was crazy. i thought the book was all in his head. but then not so much. all and all its a good book.
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AGE
An Irreplaceable Classic
The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it for school my freshman year, and every new lecture fro my teacher taught me more about myself. It is extremely complicated and would not be understood by children, but it is probably my favorite book I have ever read for school.
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| Author: | J. D. Salinger |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Literary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Little, Brown and Company |
| Publication date: | December 31, 1969 |
| Number of pages: | 214 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
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