I hated it with a passion, but there’s obviously some value in it. My theory is that if you are having or had really troublesome teenage years you’ll be much more likely to enjoy it.
Read it on my 20s and found it very dry. The kid was troubled but nothing a good kick on the pants wouldn’t fix. Holden Caulfield is over rated. All in all the book does send a message though.
I really enjoyed Catcher in the Rye. I thought it really spoke to a lot of the frustrations of being a teen. But I haven’t read it in 20 years. A few years ago, my then-teenager cousin suggested The Perks of Being a Wallflower as a “modern” Catcher.
Read it recently for a second Time, am in my 60s, I found a new perspective on it. Felt sorry for Holden. Sometimes reading a book for a second time gives one a new perspective.
it has been years since I read it but I will say it is still on my bookshelf. I should crack it open again…….I bet it’s been 30 years at least for me lol
It’s been ages. I’m actually doing a turn of re-reading books from way back when. The Good Earth, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and, Silas Marner. refreshing… I’m going to alternate new and old. I don’t recall that i enjoyed Catcher in the Rye, though.
I loved it when I was a teenager and first read it. Holden’s attitude was so amazing and rebellious! Time passed. I raised teenagers. I read the book again. I realized that this was a very sick kid. I kept wondering where his mother was. I wanted to slap her for abandoning him!
It depends on what brings you to the book and how comfortable you are with unreliable narrators. I loved it and have re-read it several times…but I do know people who hated it.
I read it in HS, and I remember being amazed that a writer who lived 50 years ago was writing things that I had thought about! But I doubt it would speak to me the same way now. It’s not big on plot, it’s more Holden’s observations about human nature and growing up.
At first publication it was something. Now a bit dated. Talked with students one time that had to read it. They couldn’t figure out the interest in it.
No, there’s a lot of classics like that that are not required reading in high school anymore.. they’re having us read other things.. I never read it either..
up until i closed my used bookstore the classics were alive and well in my part of Connecticut…best seller was the Rye book…i would gather up about 2doz for classes at the local H.S…i miss seeing all my student readers
That is on my list. I have a friend that said he read it every year for five years until he reached a certain age. He says he has learned all he can from it but still finds it a great read for the growing young adult.
I hated it! I’ve read it twice in different periods of my life; the second time to see if I could manage to see the attraction of the book as I was older… nope. I found it incredibly boring and pointless.
Hated it. Narrator/main character is a whiny, stuck-up young teenage male.
Okay…
You either like catcher or Gatsby… at least that is my experience.
Read it a very long time ago in High School. It’s a short book and not an easy read but well worth it.
It is funny, realistic, easy going, complicated, kinda gets under your skin as you read….
Realistic? I never ever met a teenager IRL as whiny and obnoxious as Holden what’s-his-name.
He is a 70s kid right?!! I wasn’t even born then 😀 I haven’t met one either
I hated it as well. Couldn’t connect to anything, MC pissed me off, don’t understand why it’s a classic. But hey that’s just me. ?
I loved it
Was not impressed
hated it
I read it in high school. I loved it.
I think you have to be really young to like it.
I read it in the last few years and don’t remember a darn thing about it.
I read it and didn’t rate it
I was older when I read it, that may have something to do with my opinion.
I hated it with a passion, but there’s obviously some value in it. My theory is that if you are having or had really troublesome teenage years you’ll be much more likely to enjoy it.
I have had a good life till now… THE very best for me… So thanks… Your review was the one I was looking for… It’s not for me
I read it at the age of 46 . I hated it. Don’t know why it’s on the need to read list.
Sophomore year of high school. Only book I kept from high school. Holden Caufield is my hero!
Really? He’s an obnoxious whiney asshole.
@Susan : says you
Holden Caulfield is the character that I hate and love at the same time.
I liked it. It’s weird, but a classic.
It irritated me and half way through, I almost gave up. At the end, I was glad I didn’t.
Teenage angst – probably best read in HS However i enjoyed even though I read it in my 30’s
Reading it right now. I like it.
If you remember the time period and mentality during that timeframe, it’s an important work.
I liked it 🙂 I read it in college.
I enjoyed it. Wouldn’t recommend it. And I certainly don’t feel that it shouldn’t have the status that it has
Read it on my 20s and found it very dry. The kid was troubled but nothing a good kick on the pants wouldn’t fix. Holden Caulfield is over rated. All in all the book does send a message though.
I love Holden and Phoebe ???
old classic
I really enjoyed Catcher in the Rye. I thought it really spoke to a lot of the frustrations of being a teen. But I haven’t read it in 20 years. A few years ago, my then-teenager cousin suggested The Perks of Being a Wallflower as a “modern” Catcher.
Exactly… My sister said to me too… She said to try wallflower…
I read it a few months ago…not a fan.
loved it as a young person.
It was ok
Read it in high school but not the best book I have ever read..
Read it recently for a second Time, am in my 60s, I found a new perspective on it. Felt sorry for Holden. Sometimes reading a book for a second time gives one a new perspective.
it has been years since I read it but I will say it is still on my bookshelf. I should crack it open again…….I bet it’s been 30 years at least for me lol
It’s been ages. I’m actually doing a turn of re-reading books from way back when. The Good Earth, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and, Silas Marner. refreshing… I’m going to alternate new and old. I don’t recall that i enjoyed Catcher in the Rye, though.
Loved The Good Earth!
Just re read it a few months ago, and remembered how much I loved it.
I loved it when I was a teenager and first read it. Holden’s attitude was so amazing and rebellious! Time passed. I raised teenagers. I read the book again. I realized that this was a very sick kid. I kept wondering where his mother was. I wanted to slap her for abandoning him!
It depends on what brings you to the book and how comfortable you are with unreliable narrators. I loved it and have re-read it several times…but I do know people who hated it.
read in hs
It’s been about 6 years, I liked it
I read it in HS, and I remember being amazed that a writer who lived 50 years ago was writing things that I had thought about! But I doubt it would speak to me the same way now. It’s not big on plot, it’s more Holden’s observations about human nature and growing up.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Brilliant it reads raw and real and believable. It could honestly be an autobiography and I wouldn’t know different. Pure classic literature
Currently reading. It’s absolutely amazing.
That would be great.
It’s EXCELLENT!?
A must read when I was in high school, 1970…
I liked it when I read it the second time. The stream of conscious type of writing made it hard for me to read
It is exceptional, heartbreaking and honest in the most brilliantly extistential sudtle way.
This
I stopped at first.
when I continued, I couldn’t put it down..
WHY DIDN’T I FINISH THIS BEFORE?!
yeah, it’s worth it.. totally surprising..
Two thumbs up
I have,four times
Super but different !
At first publication it was something. Now a bit dated. Talked with students one time that had to read it. They couldn’t figure out the interest in it.
I read it in school and loved it
Life changing.
Really i thought every one who went to high schooh read it
No, there’s a lot of classics like that that are not required reading in high school anymore.. they’re having us read other things.. I never read it either..
up until i closed my used bookstore the classics were alive and well in my part of Connecticut…best seller was the Rye book…i would gather up about 2doz for classes at the local H.S…i miss seeing all my student readers
It is a classic “coming of age” novel. Teen angst.
Love it
Very good book
really loved it
I HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HAAAAAATED IT!!!!
Loved it when I read it when I was 15, read it again at 33, and was disappointed, it wasn’t has cool as when I was 15, so yeah you can out grow books.
Read it in high school and hated it.
That is on my list. I have a friend that said he read it every year for five years until he reached a certain age. He says he has learned all he can from it but still finds it a great read for the growing young adult.
Read it a long long time back. Really liked it.
Just got it from Amazon!!
I didn’t like it. Found it extremely boring. I got to page 95 before giving up – then read the synopsis on Wikipedia.
I read that to an entrance exam once. Don’t remember how it was. Not so good one especially cause had to read for an entrance exam.
it’s… open
It’s on my TBR pile.
Hated it!
It was good 😉
less than impressed with it
I hated it! I’ve read it twice in different periods of my life; the second time to see if I could manage to see the attraction of the book as I was older… nope. I found it incredibly boring and pointless.
A must read. I read it in the mid 60s. I should read again. Profound at that time.
I really loved it. I should read it again
I’m reading it again. Read it years ago don’t remember it.
Great