The Catcher in the Rye (Offical Thread)

[AloneWithMusic]

I would like to open this thread to a disscusion on this time less book.

due to Holdens unstable perceptions, it allows multiple interpretations of many events in the novel

what are yours?

Personally I like too think that Holden is dealing with adolescence.
He preaches through out the book "Everyone is so immature" he believes everyone is conforming.
He is comming to terms with himself and how the world is conforming because that is true human nature.

He is the catcher of innocence.

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

Favorite book.

Mirrors Salinger's adolescent years in many ways.

[WakingTheMisery]

I know this thread exists. Overrated book.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

liked it.

[Machu505]

I enjoyed it.

[CstSnow]

I definitely am a fan, although I actually enjoy some of Salinger's other works just as much if not more.

[zion the lion]

I would like to open this thread to a disscusion on this time less book.

due to Holdens unstable perceptions, it allows multiple interpretations of many events in the novel

what are yours?

Personally I like too think that Holden is dealing with adolescence.
He preaches through out the book "Everyone is so immature" he believes everyone is conforming.
He is comming to terms with himself and how the world is conforming because that is true human nature.

He is the catcher of innocence.

I thought Holden was an immature spoiled bratty rich kid who was so blinded by how "phoney" everyone else was that he couldnt see how "phoney" he was himself.

[Bob Payne]

lol OP

[_Andrew]

Top book!

[about3fitty]

is holden the one who breaks his leg? i didnt like this book so i spark noted most of it in high school

[yves.]

I thought Holden was an immature spoiled bratty rich kid who was so blinded by how "phoney" everyone else was that he couldnt see how "phoney" he was himself.

this! but i absolutely love this book.

[Kid Defender]

Oh man, I really thought this was going to say a movie is being made. Thank God. This is by far my favorite book. I plan on naming my son(if I ever have one) Holden.

I had to read this in 10th grade English class and it has stuck with me ever since. I could read this book on any given day and not get bored. It's just an amazing peice of work.

[MattRM]

is holden the one who breaks his leg? i didnt like this book so i spark noted most of it in high school
Sounds like you're thinking of A Separate Peace, not Catcher.

Also, lol at the ridiculously broad "interpretations" in this thread.

[just.Starla.]

This is one of my favorite books ever. They only thing I didn't really care for was how he used goddamn a lot, but other than that I loved it.

Oh man, I really thought this was going to say a movie is being made. Thank God. This is by far my favorite book. I plan on naming my son(if I ever have one) Holden.

I had to read this in 10th grade English class and it has stuck with me ever since. I could read this book on any given day and not get bored. It's just an amazing peice of work.

I hope this never gets made into a movie.

[about3fitty]

Sounds like you're thinking of A Separate Peace, not Catcher.

Also, lol at the ridiculously broad "interpretations" in this thread.

ohhhh ok haha thanks. all those books i had to read senior year kind of ran together for me

[stayforawhile]

is holden the one who breaks his leg? i didnt like this book so i spark noted most of it in high school
No no no that's Phineas from A Seperate Peace.

[doyouhas?]

does this book really need its own thread? the book thread should do just fine.

[bobcatbob18]

I read this last summer. It IS as good as it's cracked up to be. I found that Holden amazingly relatable and his narrative really sucked me in.

[Kid Defender]

This is one of my favorite books ever. They only thing I didn't really care for was how he used goddamn a lot, but other than that I loved it.



I hope this never gets made into a movie.


Me too. It would surely be ruined.

[stupidtyonparad]

this book DOES in fact need its own thread, and it is excellent

[AloneWithMusic]

Also, lol at the ridiculously broad "interpretations" in this thread.

Why dont you give us a more in depth interpretation?

[pshh]

nine stories is great

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

nine stories is great

True. Do you have a favorite?

For me I'd say its For Esme - With Love and Squalor although I also think A Perfect Day For Bananafish is great. The whole collection is really.

[drewz5]

True. Do you have a favorite?

For me I'd say its For Esme - With Love and Squalor although I also think A Perfect Day For Bananafish is great. The whole collection is really.

I thought Teddy was incredible.
I honestly can't get enough of Salinger though. If you go to his wikipedia you can see all the other stories he published in various magazines, and ones he did not publish, then Google them and read them.

[MickShamrock]

I know this thread exists. Overrated book.

Agreed. Way overrated.

[OnLettingGo]

For my college application I wrote an essay on how Holden's experiences in The Catcher affected me. The book was a good read. I do think it's slightly overrated but still recommend it highly.

[ohLOOKitsLEAH]

Agreed. Way overrated.

I kind of agree.
I mean, I love the book, but it's just... put on a pedestal, almost.
There are better books out there.
But everyone should definitely try reading this at one time or another. :)

[Adeniz19]

I just finished reading this the other day. I definitely enjoyed it. Holden kind of reminds me of Larry David, or a 50's version of Seinfeld, I dunno... haha

[TotalCollapse]

I recently wrote a research paper on the book. One of the best books that I have read for school.

[Thomas Nassiff]

a book cannot be overrated. books arent music. they arent put on pedestals....with the exception of extremely mainstream things such as twilight and harry potter. but those are put on such pedestals because they are being turned into movies. no one knew about twilight and it wasnt nearly as annoying before they decided to make the movies.

catcher is literature....it cant really be considered overrated. its like saying that the beatles are overrated if for whatever reason you dont particularly like them.

this is my favorite book, i think its one of the best books ever written. and im also trying to get into salinger's other stuff. holden caulfield might be the most relatable character ever created

[poppa Q]

a book cannot be overrated. books arent music. they arent put on pedestals....with the exception of extremely mainstream things such as twilight and harry potter. but those are put on such pedestals because they are being turned into movies. no one knew about twilight and it wasnt nearly as annoying before they decided to make the movies.

catcher is literature....it cant really be considered overrated. its like saying that the beatles are overrated if for whatever reason you dont particularly like them.

this is my favorite book, i think its one of the best books ever written. and im also trying to get into salinger's other stuff. holden caulfield might be the most relatable character ever created
Lol what? Contradictions and bias all over the place. It's an awesome book, and I'm glad it's your favorite, but that doesn't mean you get to make ridiculous statements -- whether the book is overrated or not.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Lol what? Contradictions and bias all over the place. It's an awesome book, and I'm glad it's your favorite, but that doesn't mean you get to make ridiculous statements -- whether the book is overrated or not.

its not a ridiculous statement, but now that i reread it, i guess it is a little jumbled, heres what i meant.

people claim that this book is overrated and put on a pedestal, my argument is that a books for the most part cant be considered overrated----the exception are mainstream books like twilight and HP that are turned into movies.

continuing, catcher is literature. it therefore cannot be considered an overrated book. i made a comparison to the beatles. the beatles are "literature", if you will. no matter how much you might not like them, you cant say theyre overrated.

there.

[Neo Cassady]

its not a ridiculous statement, but now that i reread it, i guess it is a little jumbled, heres what i meant.

people claim that this book is overrated and put on a pedestal, my argument is that a books for the most part cant be considered overrated----the exception are mainstream books like twilight and HP that are turned into movies.

continuing, catcher is literature. it therefore cannot be considered an overrated book. i made a comparison to the beatles. the beatles are "literature", if you will. no matter how much you might not like them, you cant say theyre overrated.

there.

This makes no sense. It's not hard at all to see where Catcher would be considered overrated, as it's read and praised in just about every school in America. Just because something is "classic" or "literature" doesn't make it untouchable. Case in point: The Scarlet Letter, which is read and praised by just as many English teachers, but is not (in my opinion) a good book. It's all opinions...if you think too many people like something, and you don't like it, to you it's overrated. No matter what it is.

That said, I love Catcher, it was easily my favorite book read as a teenager...although I'd be interested to reread it and see if I still love it as much. It may be that I could only connect to it at that age.

[gilatron5000]

its not a ridiculous statement, but now that i reread it, i guess it is a little jumbled, heres what i meant.

people claim that this book is overrated and put on a pedestal, my argument is that a books for the most part cant be considered overrated----the exception are mainstream books like twilight and HP that are turned into movies.

continuing, catcher is literature. it therefore cannot be considered an overrated book. i made a comparison to the beatles. the beatles are "literature", if you will. no matter how much you might not like them, you cant say theyre overrated.

there.No....it's ridiculous. He's right.

[poppa Q]

its not a ridiculous statement, but now that i reread it, i guess it is a little jumbled, heres what i meant.

people claim that this book is overrated and put on a pedestal, my argument is that a books for the most part cant be considered overrated----the exception are mainstream books like twilight and HP that are turned into movies.

continuing, catcher is literature. it therefore cannot be considered an overrated book. i made a comparison to the beatles. the beatles are "literature", if you will. no matter how much you might not like them, you cant say theyre overrated.

there.
Just because something is "literature" doesn't mean it is immune from being considered overrated, nor does the contrary argument that books that are turned into movies automatically makes them overrated. Still, many people consider The Beatles overrated. That doesn't make it so, but I don't think your opinion is really the end-all be-all.

That said, I love Catcher, it was easily my favorite book read as a teenager...although I'd be interested to reread it and see if I still love it as much. It may be that I could only connect to it at that age.
Same here. I actually haven't read it since seventh grade, so it's just as likely I'll like it even more now.

[Thomas Nassiff]

This makes no sense. It's not hard at all to see where Catcher would be considered overrated, as it's read and praised in just about every school in America. Just because something is "classic" or "literature" doesn't make it untouchable. Case in point: The Scarlet Letter, which is read and praised by just as many English teachers, but is not (in my opinion) a good book. It's all opinions...if you think too many people like something, and you don't like it, to you it's overrated. No matter what it is.

That said, I love Catcher, it was easily my favorite book read as a teenager...although I'd be interested to reread it and see if I still love it as much. It may be that I could only connect to it at that age.

i hated the scarlet letter. but i still dont think its overrated. i think that certain books are considered literature for the influence they have had on other authors and future literature. i understand and respect everyone's opinion. i just dont think that its fair to say that a book of this standard is overrated.

No....it's ridiculous. He's right.

thank you very much for your input.

Just because something is "literature" doesn't mean it is immune from being considered overrated, nor does the contrary argument that books that are turned into movies automatically makes them overrated. Still, many people consider The Beatles overrated. That doesn't make it so, but I don't think your opinion is really the end-all be-all.

i hardly consider my opinion the end-all be-all. im merely pointing out that its absurd to call the beatles or catcher in the rye or any other great band or piece of literature "overrated". everyone has their opinions on books and music but there are certain books and bands that are regarded as some of the best ever, and as fair as it is to have your own opinion about them all, its not right to call them overrated.

for example, i hate the scarlet letter and i dont like the rolling stones at all. but i couldnt call either of them overrated, that wouldnt be fair.

[Thomas Nassiff]

No....it's ridiculous. He's right.

cool avatar

[Neo Cassady]

i hated the scarlet letter. but i still dont think its overrated. i think that certain books are considered literature for the influence they have had on other authors and future literature. i understand and respect everyone's opinion. i just dont think that its fair to say that a book of this standard is overrated.



thank you very much for your input.



i hardly consider my opinion the end-all be-all. im merely pointing out that its absurd to call the beatles or catcher in the rye or any other great band or piece of literature "overrated". everyone has their opinions on books and music but there are certain books and bands that are regarded as some of the best ever, and as fair as it is to have your own opinion about them all, its not right to call them overrated.

for example, i hate the scarlet letter and i dont like the rolling stones at all. but i couldnt call either of them overrated, that wouldnt be fair.

So what's your definition of "overrated" then?

[ApricotChick]

I had to read this freshman year, and I expected it to become one of my favourite books (high expectations, I know) and I was dissapointed by it. It was fine, I could see how people love it, but it just didn't do it for me. Oh well.

[CstSnow]

What's crazy is that Salinger has so much written that he is just sitting on, the amount of stuff that's going to hit the market when he passes away will be amazing, but truly bittersweet.

[jbaseball44]

Like this book a lot, haven't given it a read in a few years though.

[Alex!]

I love this book so much. My favorite parts are when he's talking about the glass and the museum and then the "fuck you" writing on stuff. So great. I need to reread it cause I've only read it like twice, but it's great.

[$eth]

I like The Catcher In The Rye a lot. I read it this year and didn't really read into it. Just read the story if you get what I'm saying. We're reading it this year in english again, so I'm stoked.

[AloneInTheDark]

I love this book, just finished reading it again and I am very inclined to something that is going to give me the same attachment. Anyone have any book reccomendations that aren't Perks of Being A Wallflower?

[Tautou107]

I love this book, just finished reading it again and I am very inclined to something that is going to give me the same attachment. Anyone have any book reccomendations that aren't Perks of Being A Wallflower?
I've heard D.B.C Pierre's Vernon God Little is similar, but I haven't read it. But besides that, A Clockwork Orange, A Separate Peace, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, On The Road, Animal Farm, The Great Gatsby, Into The Wild, and Fahrenheit 451 come to mind.

Or maybe try Salinger's other works?

[brndnschltfld]

Such a great book.

[rawesome]

Holden Caufield is the teenage Dean Moriarty.

Those books should be required reading for everybody at ages 16 and 21, respectively.