I abhorred this book because I could not stand the incessant griping and moaning about everything surrounding Holden. Back in high school, I lost any tolerance for this delinquent who probably wouldn't have the ambition to breath if he had to consciously do so. But now that I've matured and faced major adversities? Ha. I wouldn't make it to page 10 without shutting the book and, in my mind (and probably aloud to the book for good measure), tell Holden to shut the f--- up, grow the f--- up, or else go suck on a railroad spike in winter.
Poll: Do You Like "Catcher in the Rye"?
- Thread starter xXAsherahXx
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No. You hear me? NOOOOOOOO.
I actually liked the story for the first 2 or 3 chapters, because I thought, "Hey, a male teenage character that complains a lot. I can relate to that. I can't wait to see how he deals with these issues." 200 pages or so later, I realized what a boring and uninteresting character Holden was. No development, no dealing with issues... just straight up moaning for an entire book. I can see why it was a big deal back when it was first written, but nobody today wants to read an entire book about a mentally ill person complaining about everything under the sun. Had the novel given us a likable character, I probably would've loved it, because besides that it is actually very well-written. But no. Holden just lets the good qualities of the book fall through the street into nothingness.
If you want to read a (GOOD) modern-day equivalent of Catcher in the Rye, check out John Green's Looking for Alaska.
I actually liked the story for the first 2 or 3 chapters, because I thought, "Hey, a male teenage character that complains a lot. I can relate to that. I can't wait to see how he deals with these issues." 200 pages or so later, I realized what a boring and uninteresting character Holden was. No development, no dealing with issues... just straight up moaning for an entire book. I can see why it was a big deal back when it was first written, but nobody today wants to read an entire book about a mentally ill person complaining about everything under the sun. Had the novel given us a likable character, I probably would've loved it, because besides that it is actually very well-written. But no. Holden just lets the good qualities of the book fall through the street into nothingness.
If you want to read a (GOOD) modern-day equivalent of Catcher in the Rye, check out John Green's Looking for Alaska.
Holden Caulfield taught me how too much cynicism can suck the joy out of life.
That's the one and only useful thing that came about me reading that book.
I hate the main character. I hate that fucking book.
It's such an overrated piece of shit. He blames himself for not being able to "Save people"? What a pretentious fuckhead.
Ahh. I feel a bit better.
That's the one and only useful thing that came about me reading that book.
I hate the main character. I hate that fucking book.
It's such an overrated piece of shit. He blames himself for not being able to "Save people"? What a pretentious fuckhead.
Ahh. I feel a bit better.
Perhaps it was because I was a teenager who had significant amounts of grey hair, but I loved this book.xXAsherahXx said:
I read it when I was 14 (a seriously awesome age to read that book) and Holden's ennui and whinging and existential angst really spoke to me.
Read it again in a few years, you might actually like it. Some people just don't. I mean, it's like Moby Dick. Several people hate the fact that it's slow and shit, but you always have to take into account why and how it is written. MD was written in honor of Nathaniel Hawthorne, which by no means indicates that it will be an exciting book. J.D. Salinger was pretty different, and so his book is no different.
Instead, be glad it's not Dostoevsky, because that stuff is confusing. It's in modern english, no funky translations, and it's a fast read. Some of the stuff might seem annoying, and not everyone likes Holden. But the value of the piece is AWESOME.
Instead, be glad it's not Dostoevsky, because that stuff is confusing. It's in modern english, no funky translations, and it's a fast read. Some of the stuff might seem annoying, and not everyone likes Holden. But the value of the piece is AWESOME.
that book was horrid. I read it in 6th grade and much like in South Park I read the entire book waiting for it to get the slightest bit controversial since our teacher said it was extremely controversial. Never did, just some stupid kid thinking he knows everything and whining and bitching about every minor inconveinience that crosses his path. And now i find out I have to read it again junior year of high school. Fuck. God I hate this book so much that I'm ranting about this for the 3rd time this month. This book should rot in hell.
I picked this book up and loved it. What makes it so great to me is how much Holden constantly complains about how corrupt the world is and how he hates people who do this and that, but then he turns around and does the exact same things. He's a walking contradiction.
Nope, I hated that book, I just thought Holden was a whiny *****... of course the fact that I had to do a report on it, also contributed to my disdain, but even still...
I read it in school and it failed to give me any strong emotions, be they good or bad.
My late English teacher taught me that a piece of art succeeds when it can bring out a powerful emotion and fails when it does not. It's clearly a successful novel, but it was a failure for me.
So no, I do not like Catcher in the Rye.
My late English teacher taught me that a piece of art succeeds when it can bring out a powerful emotion and fails when it does not. It's clearly a successful novel, but it was a failure for me.
So no, I do not like Catcher in the Rye.
You have a point about if have to completely analyze the book it lessens your appreciation for it but i read both animal farm and catcher in the rye in school and although i despise catcher in the rye, i legitimetly enjoyed animal farm and i read that 2 years later so we had to analyze much more than catcher in the rye but the story was actually interesting and well written so I enjoyed it much more.Mr.PlanetEater said: