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The Catcher in the Rye

by J.D. Salinger

(based on 1 review)

£6.74 £8.99
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The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in Rye is the ultimate novel for disaffected youth, but it's relevant to all ages. The story is told by Holden Caulfield, a seventeen-year-old dropout who has just been kicked out of his fourth school. Throughout, Holden dissects the 'phony' aspects of society, and the 'phonies' themselves: the headmaster whose affability depends on the wealth of the parents, his roommate who scores with girls using sickly-sweet affection.Lazy in style, full of slang and swear words, it's a novel whose interest and appeal comes from its observations rather than its plot intrigues (in conventional terms, there is hardly any plot at all). Salinger's style creates an effect of conversation, it is as though Holden is speaking to you personally, as though you too have seen through the pretences of the American Dream and are growing up unable to see the point of living in, or contributing to, the society around you. Written with the clarity of a boy leaving childhood, it deals with society, love, loss, and expectations without ever falling into the clutch of a cliche.

Top reviews

Bookseller review

A thought provoking page turner.

This book is a real page turner. From the minute you pick it up you wont be able to put it down. J.D Salinger's classic story of teenager Holden Caulfield, who is a dropout that is dissatisfied with life and all its phonies, will really make you think. A truly fantastic read for all ages

Review by of the Southampton Borders on 2009-02-02 12:23:23
Bookseller review

Catcher In the Rye

The blueprint for a whole generation of teenage angst. Salingers classic stands the test of time impressively.

Review by Matt of the London - Islington Borders on 2009-02-12 17:22:07
Bookseller review

May be not life-changing, but definitely influential.

Another obvious choice perhaps but as a teenager I remember being asked by one of my older brother’s friends if I’d ever read it and him saying that it would change my life, so I did. I’m not sure that it changed my life exactly but as a natural cynic it certainly influenced a few attitudes but not, thankfully, to the extent of that of Mark Chapman, the killer of John Lennon, who cited the main character Holden Caulfield’s hatred of phoneys as an influence in his decision to shoot the Beatle. I then read everything else by Salinger available including trawling through the many copies of old New Yorker magazines to find the then only published version of Hapworth 16, 1924.
It still remains arguably the best coming of age novel yet and as such I think compulsory reading for every teenager today. As a curious footnote there is a largely unknown reference in this book (and others) again through Holden, of Salingers hatred of actors. The reason for this being Salinger’s abandonment by his fiancée Oona O’Neill, daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill, whilst he was serving in the army overseas in WW 2 – she was wooed by and subsequently married Charlie Chaplin, and was still only 18.

Review by of the Birmingham Borders on 2009-03-18 18:10:35
Bookseller review

Catcher In The Rye - J.D. Salinger

A great teenage classic. Holden Caufield is the ultimate outsider, he is expelled from school, falls out with his friends and finally suffers a nervous breakdown. This book is a scathing attack on American society in the 1950s seen through the eyes of one of the most fascinating central characters ever created.

Review by of the Swansea Borders on 2009-03-25 15:36:32
An American fiction must-read!

I was easily absorbed by the conversational flow of Salinger's narrative and enjoyed seeing the world through 17-year-old Holden Caulfield's eyes. The book is full of humorous observations and teenage angst, yet sophisticated and at moments poignant. The only disappointment was the lack of plot. This book is as relevant today as when it was first written.

Review by Jen on 13:21, 09 Mar 2009

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