The Catcher in the Rye in Pop Sugar's Annual Ultimate Reading Challenge

Feb 16, 2014 Jill Bonham rated it liked it

been wanting to read for awhile because I kept seeing references to it. I didn't know a thing about it before I started reading it except that it had been an influence on three different people who had attempted assassinations...yikes! so it was way different than I expected, surprised by all the cursing but also by how readable it is. I did find it quite humorous---I love a cynic. But it found it kind of became repetitive and I started getting bored with it. nothing much was happening. but when been wanting to read for awhile because I kept seeing references to it. I didn't know a thing about it before I started reading it except that it had been an influence on three different people who had attempted assassinations...yikes! so it was way different than I expected, surprised by all the cursing but also by how readable it is. I did find it quite humorous---I love a cynic. But it found it kind of became repetitive and I started getting bored with it. nothing much was happening. but when it gets to the part when he sneaks in to see Phoebe you start to see another side of him. And I started to feel a little sad for him. And when you get to the part when you find out why it's called the catcher in the rye, it's quite touching. I loved when he went to see his old teacher. I loved the advice that he tried to give him---first of all how Holden wasn't the first person to be confused, frightened, or even sickened by human behavior. I also like how he said he was afraid he was falling, falling looking for something his own environment couldn't supply him with so he gave up looking before they even got started. This whole chapter was really good. one if the other things that struck me was how he struck up a conversation with the nuns. and when he went downtown the next day he was looking for them. it made me think about his need for connection with others and with goodness, which he somehow couldn't get. His relationship with his sister also showed he wasn't just a bitter cynic but he had a playful loving side. so it really became a sad story in the end. the reason I gave it a 3 was because there isn't much plot to it. more like a day in the life if a disgruntled teen with really no resolution or ending. I'm glad I read it to see what all the fuss was about. It was good, just not one of my favorites.

edit-I'm considering changing my rating to a 4 because I keep thinking about this book especially how ironic it was that he called everyone a phony he was a big phony himself. and I love cynical humor. ...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Crystal Caldwell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: general-favorites, favorite-best-of-the-best

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I really didn't.

I really wanted this book to continue when I finished. I wanted to read more of Holden's story. That to me is a great book. A story you just don't want to end. In fact, I loved it so much it has earned a place in my favorites list. ...more

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