The Catcher in the Rye
discussion
Anyone else feel sad when you overhear people saying that they don't like this book?
No. To be frank, who cares whether other people got something out of this book.
May I ask how come you didn't present your views about TCitR to this group of friends and acquaintances?
May I ask how come you didn't present your views about TCitR to this group of friends and acquaintances?
Dominique wrote: "I read this book back around December 2012, and, having known what people on the Internet said why it's so great, I actually liked it.
Then in May, during lunch at school, I was sitting with this g..."
Oh man, YES. It makes me feel terrible. :( The Catcher in the Rye is a GREAT book! Why don't more people realize that?
Then in May, during lunch at school, I was sitting with this g..."
Oh man, YES. It makes me feel terrible. :( The Catcher in the Rye is a GREAT book! Why don't more people realize that?
i haven't really met anyone who didn't like this book, just some people who abandoned it; and i advised them to complete it.
Prashamsa wrote: "i advised them to complete it."
And did they? Probably not would by my guess. Most people don't enjoy having things pushed down their throats, particularly things they'd already tasted a little of and didn't care for.
And did they? Probably not would by my guess. Most people don't enjoy having things pushed down their throats, particularly things they'd already tasted a little of and didn't care for.
yes, a bot ... but everyone got their own tastes... but i feel a bit sad when i overheard that
Books are so individual. It depends on the age you read them, circumstances, etc. I loved this book. I find when a person doesn't like a classic book such as this, 9 out of 10 times I really don't have a lot of respect for his/her choices in the first place.
The book is about a teenager's viewpoint and has a lot of teenage angst. Those kind of books will tend to either provoke strong like or dislike. Why would you be sad? It's not really a big surprise, everyone's got different opinions.
It doesn't make me sad, exactly. It's like watching someone make a silly mistake, or get the answer to a question wrong. It's a mild sense of amazement, and maybe a little disappointment that someone could be so misguided. Somewhere between "you idiot!" and "you fool!"
Horrorshow wrote: "May I ask how come you didn't present your views about TCitR to this group of friends and acquaintances?"Well, because outside of the Internet, I'm a very shy and quiet girl, and I barely even knew the girl who ranted about how much she hated reading this.
However, I did talk those two boys in the following period we shared, asking what they thought of the book.
Thanks for responding to my question.
as Horrorshow said, you shouldn't get upset that people don't all share the same tastes. The people you overheard discussing the book were probably forced to read it, were sick of hearing people rave about how great it is and that can taint anyone's opinion. I liked it, but growing up in Ireland and not being at all bookish in my youth, knew nothing about the book apart from a vague familiarity with the title until I picked it up as an adult - I enjoyed it and see its relevance but wouldn't assume that everybody would or should love it.
I know that it can hurt your feelings to hear something you love criticized but just try be happy that you enjoyed it and remember that it would be a pretty dull world if we all liked the same things.
and by your description of the 'poofy'-haired girl, you probably wouldn't want to share the same tastes as her :)
Dominique wrote: In fact, I felt sad to be reminded that many people hate this book. Anyone else feel this way? No, I feel sorry for them, though I'm aware of the fact that the book is not for everyone and most people will completely miss the point of it.
I especially feel sorry for those people who take a book to read it and expect something exciting to happen throughout the book. Exciting things are supposed to happen in your mind while you read and understand what you read.
Horrorshow wrote: "Prashamsa wrote: "i advised them to complete it."And did they? Probably not would by my guess. Most people don't enjoy having things pushed down their throats, particularly things they'd alread..."
yes, they didn't actually, said it bored them. i wish they would have given it a try though.
Dominique wrote: "I read this book back around December 2012, and, having known what people on the Internet said why it's so great, I actually liked it.Then in May, during lunch at school, I was sitting with this g..."
I feel your pain - but if that's what she takes from reading it - then it's her loss.
I feel a contemptuous pity towards women (young and old) who proclaim Twilight and other girly chick lit as GREAT WORKS OF LITERATURE or even good books. I do try to be indifferent but the intellectual snob in me rises to the surface and a small sneer peeps out before I can withhold it - meh.
I only know one person who dislikes this book, but he's got a really strong point in this. We argued on the book for the whole afternoon and I still couldn't talk him out of it. I mean he reaches the conclusion after he's read the book A COUPLE OF TIMES. Now I really want to know his definition of "dislike"...Okay, back to your case. I don't believe anyone will actually "dislike" the book if he's a real literature lover, or at least has thoroughly read the book. I run into people who keeps talking about chick lit all day long and I don't believe they have a voice in a serious conversation about this book. They can continue their eloquent speeches on vampires, and I will just ignore them.
No, when people say they do not like "The Catcher in the Rye" it makes me happy because then I trust that they are sane.
Only when their reasons why aren't reasonable or valid. This girl that you overheard apparently found the book to be boring and her friend agreed. Whether or not I agree, that is a perfectly valid and acceptable reason for not liking a book. There is no reason to feel sad that she didn't like it.I'm encouraged by the fact that kids are reading it and expressing their opinions on it.
It' s ok. Just because you got a lot out of this book, doesn' t make it a loss for those who didn' t. They may find something else -whether it be a different book, life experience, hobby, etc, that is meaningful to them and not to you. Everyone has their own preferences, and the only loss is when someone makes you feel bad for having ones different from you.
When I read this book in high school, I loved it. I was amazed that literature could include swear words and could describe people farting during a school speech. However, now that I am older, the book just doesn't do it for me. I tried rereading it a couple of years ago, but couldn't get past page 30. Has anyone else had this problem?
The first time I read the book, I absolutely hated it. I really mean that*. I was seventeen, and I threw the book across the room several times before completing it.I did the same with Twilight, and technically "more" happens in that book.
I've known people like Holden in real life: liars who are so full of themselves, and totally oblivious to how obvious their lies are to other people.
The second time I read it I still loathed it. This is a character who really should not get any sympathy. He is sniveling, self serving, and boastful. This is Gollum sans ring.
When I first saw Napolean Dynamite, my thought was "Holden on film." Eventually I learned to like Dynamite after the second watching, because even after all his blather and nerdiness, he still has redeeming qualities like loyalty, genuine care for his friends. Unlike that trollsome Harry Potter, whose friends throw themselves in front of him every chance they can get when he's done nothing to really garner their loyalty.
Holden goes through no real character arc. His actions draw no sympathy. He basically repeats actions over and over, doing the same things in different variations, all the while griping and complaining at how terrible everything is. As South Park’s Kyle complained, it’s “just some whiny annoying teenager talking about how lame he is.”
*To quote Holden
That's a good description of what's wrong with the book Judas. I felt much of the same way with the book. Now can one of you others give me a good description of why you Did enjoy the book??
Jennifer wrote: "Books are so individual. It depends on the age you read them, circumstances, etc. I loved this book. I find when a person doesn't like a classic book such as this, 9 out of 10 times I really don..."I find it a bit funny that you "don't have a lot of respect for my choices" just because I didn't like a book that was just the ravings of a whiney teenager when you started your post saying that books are so individual.
Catherine wrote: "That's a good description of what's wrong with the book Judas. I felt much of the same way with the book. Now can one of you others give me a good description of why you Did enjoy the book??"Thank you, CC.
Kevin wrote: "Tiberius wrote: "When I read this book in high school, I loved it. I was amazed that literature could include swear words and could describe people farting during a school speech. However, now that..."Interesting points. Perhaps I should give it another go. Thank you for your insights.
I don´t feel sad when I overhear people saying that they did not like this book...I am glad no one mentions it in my vicinity, because this must be one of the most overrated books of all times in my opinion!
I'M sorry but other than Twilight this is the most Over rated book in history. It's Repetitive to the point of ridiculousness. Salinger uses the same lines over and over and over and over and over.Its about a spoiled whiny teenage brat...what's so great about that? nothing happens, nothing is resolved, it's written like J.D. spent a drug...speed fueled weekend in a hotel and wrote the most inane idiotic nonsense that came to mind...oh wait...that's what he did...
It's no wonder Bardo and Hinkley and Chapman's murderous behavior was related to this book because after reading it I wanted to kill myself for wasting my time..twice.
I read it at 17 and thought no wonder people hate us teenagers if this is how they see us...then I read it again at 44 and thought Holy crap this book just sucks. Its so bad Stephanie Meyer should have wrote it as repetitive and derivative and non-sensible as it is.
The Top 3 worst books I've ever read
3) Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs
2) Catcher in the Rye
1) Twilight
I wish I could run into Holden so I could beat his over privileged, angsty, whiny, cigarette smoking, Repetitive, loser ass...
Seriously cut out the words "Phony", "It Killed Me" and "I'm Crazy" and the book is 20 pages shorter.
Kevin wrote: ""Holden goes through no real character arc. His actions draw no sympathy. He basically repeats actions over and over, doing the same things in different variations, all the while griping and compla..."I've read it twice and gained no insights. I'm not going to waste anymore time on a fictional character that does nothing to broaden my mind about the world around me, or at the very least is entertaining. Requiem for A Dream was full of despicable characters that made me feel actual empathy towards the drug addicted. This made me want to burn the human race. I really mean that.
There is a cartoon that very much expresses what you are feeling, and I have felt it many times myself: http://beatonna.tumblr.com/post/18610...
I don't know, I've read a lot of classics (such as Jane Austin) that have seemed to me to be absolute trash not worthy of the paper they are printed on, and yet when somebody criticizes one of my favorite books I feel sure that they have missed something.
I guess no two people read the same book.
Dominique wrote: "I wish I could've said something, too, while the girl's ranting was going on. In fact, I felt sad to be reminded that many people hate this book. Anyone else feel this way? "It's often postulated that homophobia is rooted in doubt and insecurity about one's own sexuality. Perhaps the same holds true with Catcher in the Rye.
Perhaps Catcher-phobes hate the book because they see too much of themselves in Holden. And the stronger the vitriol, the greater their identity with him.
I can't imagine another reason for some of the vitriol.
I get upset all the time over this book, it is so highly rated but at the same time it seems like everywhere I turn I am met with resentment. I have talked to one person who loved the book, but several will not even attempt it after hearing all of the negativity. I think it might be my favorite book, I know it is a part of the list. I make a point of reading it whenver I have a dry spell come up.
Monty J wrote: "Dominique wrote: "I wish I could've said something, too, while the girl's ranting was going on. In fact, I felt sad to be reminded that many people hate this book. Anyone else feel this way? "It'..."
Or maybe people think that all people think like Holden, and decide they hate the human race for being stupid.
Monty J wrote: "Perhaps Catcher-phobes hate the book because they see too much of themselves in Holden. And the stronger the vitriol, the greater their identity with him.I can't imagine another reason for some of the vitriol.
"
Well maybe its do to the fact thats its a repetitive piece of nonsense that makes no point except that spoiled teenagers make you want to strangle them and say the say catch phrases over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...annoying isnt it thats why we hate it.
Catcher in the Rye: Over privileged teenager constantly underachieves goes to NYC does nothing but smoke and repeat him self while telling the reader how crazy he is...which I agree with in a purely clinical way not the colloquial crazy he means, as he doesn't actually DO ANYTHING. He Fails with a hooker and two drunk chicks.
In between cigarettes he calls everyone a bastard, he visits a "pedophile" that doesnt actually do anything and Holden talks to his sister.
There now no one will ever have to be bored silly by this crap again...no please tell me again about all the symbolism...in saying Bastard and I'm so crazy on every page. Repetition...when all else fails and you need to fill 200 pages.
Holden is a terrible, boring character and Salinger repeats the same words and phrases constantly trying to imitate an immature teenager's speech patterns but it made me nuts. As many times as the phrase "all of the sudden" was repeated you would have thought something actually happened in the book...spoiler alert...it didn't.Also repeated ad nauseam Too Damn..., I really did, ...and all, Goddam, the trouble with, Madman, Bastard(s), I hate that, Phonies, Lousy, Annoys the hell out me, If you want to know the truth, It's nice, Drives you crazy, ...and stuff, Cigarette, It killed me, for god's sake, I swear, old (someone)i.e (old Phoebe), The thing is, it's depressing, anyway.
Have to be brutally honest. I cannot stand Catcher nor have I ever met anyone who liked it. Holden is everything he hates, I get that, I just really hated the writing style and despised the character. BTW I am 50 years old and just reread it this week to give it another chance from high school.
I also feel sad when I hear people say that they don't like this book. I read this many years ago--in the 70's when I was in high school. I thought maybe it had to do with the times, but I have two sons under the age of 30 who also read it and enjoyed it.
Love the book or hate it- either way I just feel sad when someone has so obviously missed the point of it. I've read a lot of books I didn't particularly care for but I always work hard to understand it.
Read it in high school, loved it, loved the casual swearing, loved the desciptions of New Ork. Hey, it's just a book, but a fun book! G.D. it, lighten up, world! Bunch of phonies!
Catcher is a good book, but it certainly isn't the be all and end all when it comes to literature. It's easy to understand why some people didn't like the book, while there is a lot of depth to the story, most of the book is just Holden bitching about what he likes or doesn't like.
I've read it 3 or 4 times. In Junior High I thought it was funny. Each time after that it got a little more tragic and made me have different feelings each time. One of my favorite books.
I loved this book. You just got to realize that even though a lot of people HATE this book, there is a lot of people who LOVE it too :)
Jenni wrote: "I loved this book.
You just got to realize that even though a lot of people HATE this book, there is a lot of people who LOVE it too :)"
I hope so.
You just got to realize that even though a lot of people HATE this book, there is a lot of people who LOVE it too :)"
I hope so.
I didn't enjoy it, so no. But people can have their own opinion. I don't mind when people say they disliked, say, Goodnight Mister Tom.
Personally, I love this book but I've also overheard a lot of people saying they didn't like it. I heard some people from my school saying that they thought it was 'something of nothing' or that 'nothing really happened. I suppose you can recommend that someone tries to re-read it and see if they enjoy it more the second time round, perhaps from trying to look into a bit more but I guess at the end of the day not all books are everyone's cup of tea. If you get something out of a book then that's all that matters I suppose :)
I agree that everyone has personal tastes and when they can give specific reasons for not liking a book that I love, I just shrug it off and say that not everyone likes the same thing. That being said, when people say they don't like Catcher in the Rye because they don't get it, it makes me wonder if they ever felt scared to grow up, or felt like an outsider, or confused about what you're feeling, or holding onto something because change is frightening. I have a pretty good feeling that everyone has, but they just don't identify with Holden's view of it; although they should have picked up on symbology of it since its not just going to jump out and say it blatantly. Only children's books do that although most also use symbology.
Lupita, I completely agree. I think everyone's probably had some kind of fear about growing up but perhaps not everyone identifies with the way Holden's fear is expressed - which is perhaps why they don't 'like' The Catcher in the Rye.
I think part of it is that Holden keeps trying to connect to people as a means of alleviating his own fear but keeps getting shot down. If you haven't had that kind of moment when no one seems to listen, then you really aren't going to understand why Holden is so afraid and angry. You'll just think he's a whiny brat whose looking in all the wrong places. You don't see that there is a very real and scary conflict that doesn't need explosives or guns to be horrifying. I loved this book partially because of that aspect of it.
Yes, I suppose in some ways it could come down to the fact that not everyone will be able to relate to some of what Holden experiences. And while you don't have to experience the same thing as someone to sympathise with them, I think you're much more likely to identify with a character if you can empathise in some way with them. Marci, I totally get where you're coming from - I like the fact that the conflict in this book isn't overly dramatic, or physical but rather simpler and yet still very forceful.
Marci wrote: "I think part of it is that Holden keeps trying to connect to people as a means of alleviating his own fear but keeps getting shot down. If you haven't had that kind of moment when no one seems to ..."I totally agree. And most people hate the fact that he complains about all the things he hates, most people complain about those things so maybe they don't like those aspects of themselves. Holden sure doesn't, thas why its such an issue for him. There's self hatred and wanting to change but being afraid to change; afraid of losing who you are but also not knowing who you are yet. There is so much I identified with when I read this.
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Then in May, during lunch at school, I was sitting with this group of friends & acquaintances, and once I heard one of them mention Catcher in the Rye, this one girl with short, poofy hair started screaming about how she hates that book with a burning passion. She went on a full-on rant about how nothing exciting happens throughout the book, she thinks Holden is about to get it on with a prostitute but (view spoiler)[instead just ends up talking to her (hide spoiler)], and towards the end when he and Phoebe walk towards Central Park, she was hoping that a car would run by and hit either one or both of them.
After calming her nerves, one of the guys said sarcastically, "Yeah, The Catcher in the Rye is such a great book. It was so exciting," while another said that he did like that book.
Then I asked my friend what she thought of it, and, I can't remember her exact words, but she said something about wishing she could've read it before learning about it, and she ended up not liking it either. Then she and another talked about how other teen novels these days tend to be inspired by Catcher in the Rye.
I wish I could've said something, too, while the girl's ranting was going on. In fact, I felt sad to be reminded that many people hate this book. Anyone else feel this way?