I just finished this book, the part I liked the most was his description of catching the kids from falling over the cliff and how I felt that explained his character arc. My interpretation is that he wants to catch the children before they enter adulthood. He wants to preserve that innocence and save them from all of the "phoniness" he sees around him. Then later when his sister wanted to leave school and join him, displaying a similar cynicism, I felt like he accomplished his goal by saving his sister from falling over that "cliff". At that point, Holden seems less depressed and more positive. Thanks for the review and good job editing the two parts into one.
It seems an unwillingness to grow into all that adulthood entails began around the time catcher was written. Despite the phoniness being an accurate description of so many of us trying to "fit in", that seeming unwillingness to grow up is a major problem past generations didn't have.
@@SaoirsesShelf did you notice the number 65 being used throughout the book,I wonder if this is in reference to needing 65 percent in exams to pass ,just a theory ,but I noticed the numbers ,thankyou good vid
You "think" he had manic depression? You are he only one after watching over 6 reviews on Catcher, that understands, Holden is seriously depressed. He is emotionally disturbed, he is in fact suicidal. YES there's a reason for his angst. My god. people who just think he's an idiot who hates everybody is missing the point so badly. And the reason this book became so popular isn't because of the plot (of which there is none-its actually just a rant) its because Salinger changed into Holden and wrote in his vernacular SO well its was mind-bending. This style was never seen before--it was illuminating. I read this as a high school student in the mid sixties and we absolutely loved it because of the STYLE. The teachers all had us writing our thoughts like Holden--it was wonderful. His family life was dysfunctional: no parental love or guidance, no role models; he is bitter , yes, he hates because he wants love, doesn't get it. Yes it is a character study, yes you got it! seriously you are the only one--thank you, I was looking desperately for someone who understood this book. You are a smart person. yea!!
This is my absolute favorite book. I remember reading it in highschool and literally like finishing it in a day and secretly reading it in biology class because I was so caught up in it. One thing I've come to realize many years later is that a lot of the book is also about emotional neglect. When Holden is asking the cab driver about when the pond freezes over, it's like he's asking him, how do I survive in this frozen pond of a life I'm living in? He hates being alone, but he's got nowhere else to go. Great great book, and thanks so much for reviewing it.
There's one paragraph in the book that really hit home. It goes, "Okay," I said. It was against my principles and all, but I was feeling so depressed I didn't even think. That's the whole trouble. When you're feeling depressed, you can't even think.
I have read the book 3 times already and am starting the 4th time. I simply love the "language," the "voice," that semi-stream-of-consciousness style/technique through which Holden unfolds himself to us, or rather, to himself. It's like he's just thinking aloud. Thanks for the review. Well-done!
This book is one of my favourites ever. It resonates with me so much and I feel has shaped me in a way and changed my perspective in life. I love it and I love Holden and when i read it it hurts and makes me happy and nervous and sad all at once and I need that sometimes. I think we all do. Thanks for this, was nice to listen to :)
My favorite aspect of The Catcher in the Rye is that every time I read the book I make a new connection. Like every time Holden feels like meeting or calling up Jane, he immediately retreats. It’s like Stradlater said. Why doesn’t he just do it. I understand why Holden would feel hesitant after Stradlater’s date, but what about before the date. It was the perfect opportunity. And after reading the book, I would go back and forth thinking about stuff like that and it never gets old.
He doesn’t call Jane because he’s scared that she has been “ruined” and her innocence has been lost (from her date with Stradlater). I think he is also scared to be rejected from her, since he had been rejected by most people in the novel.
@@eagann92 I have thought about Holden being rejected as one possible reason that he didn't call or meet her. But it never occurred to me that he would be scared that she would be "ruined".
What I like about the voice of the book is that it seems like Holden is word vomiting his thoughts, almost uncontrollably. I've definitely been there, even when I meant to keep inside the anguish I was facing. Mainly because I thought people were sick of hearing me talk about the same old problems. So, Holden's frustration and grumbling is very relatable.
I'm sixty five years old and I no longer have time to reread my favorite books, because I'm in bucket list mode for my reading wish list, but I will make an exception for The Catcher in the Rye, because of your review. It was spectacular, your understanding of Holden is deep.
I watched some of this review years ago - like maybe 4 or 5 years ago. And I remembered you talking about how surprisingly funny you found Catcher in the Rye (although you don't actually seem to say that, so huh). Then for whatever random reason I finally decided to read it this week and I loved it. I searched for Catcher in the Rye reviews to see if I could find your video again, and here I am. I didn't recall what else you said, but rewatching your review now, I mostly had the same feelings you did throughout the book. Except I didn't find Holden annoying even at the beginning of the book - but I got spoiled on him having a troubled past, and the book being about Holden lamenting the loss of innocence, so I was immediately accepting and curious about him. Throughout the years I've heard people complain about Holden so I was almost expecting him to be a smartass or bad person or something but he was surprisingly nice through the whole book. Just severely psychologically troubled. I sympathized with him completely. BTW Holden calling a guy "commander blop" made me laugh.
I totally agree the best part of the book is the “voice” it jumps out of the book right into my mind. I barely recall the plot or the characters but I remember the voice like I read it yesterday [I read it almost 20 years ago when I was 17]. Also David Copperfield is great!! LOL
The Catcher in the Rye happens to be my all time fav and I absolutely love your reading of it. Like, finally -- a recent-ish video which doesn't hold him to moral standards of a saint. I could talk about the book for a whole afternoon. It's American lit at some of its most magnificent, to me anyways. I think Holden is an emotionally disturbed youth who still manages to be funny, uniquely empathetic, and yes, big hearted. He loves life and people so much more than he can realize yet because of all of the trauma affecting his thought process. He's a good dude, but rubs a lot of people the wrong way -- can he even help it yet? I've sure been there. My psychologist actually 'prescribed' this book to me when I was 17. My mom died when I was 10, and yeah, it marked my social behaviour as a teen. Was cynical and in more pain than I could realize. I can't begin to say how much I identified with Holden. Would make fires in the woods, smoke players cigarettes, and read away til dark. Nice to look back on. And a lot of my friends identified me with him (and still do, lol). I just turned 22 and understand this book better than ever now. I think it will forever live on as one of the most fiery, beautiful expressions of unprocessed grief as a teen, and how phoney everything to do with conventional society can feel in that boat. Please keep this channel going, you have a lovely attitude and these videos are honest to God gems. I'm trying to do English Honours with the hope of being a proper writer some day -- and I wish you the very best with your own work! Cheers from Nova-Scotia, Canada : )
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and story!! I love your interpretation of Holden. I think some people don’t understand him because they haven’t experienced trauma and can’t see how it manifests in different people, especially “difficult” children. There is always something behind the behavior we exhibit to the world. Our experiences shape our psyche and some of us cope better than others. I relate to Holden’s cynicism so much and I just found this book to be one of the saddest, most beautiful and honest accounts of the human experience. Have you read The Perks of Being a Wallflower? I always bring this up haha. It really is the modern day (well, 90s, my god I’m old) Catcher in the Rye. It has gotten me through so much in life and is by far my favorite modern novel. Good luck with your writing!! I just finished my masters in creative writing, and jumping into the world of submissions is scary and it’s hard to get the motivation to create. But when I do, it’s so satisfying. Do keep in touch if you ever want to talk writing! ☺️
@@SaoirsesShelf So glad you replied!! And that the book resonated with you on the levels it did. I’ve never read The Perks of Being a Wallflower but would love to. It sounds great and has always intrigued me whenever brought up. I'll be sure to get a copy and read it this summer, looking forward to that. Have you read Harriet the Spy? Another really wonderful youth novel and for-sure of the same vein as Catcher in the Rye. It came out in 1964, delightful, one of a kind book; wish people'd give it more credit these days tbh. I only heard about it through an old Simpsons episode where they brought it up as an example of a genuinely good book kids oughta read instead of Malibu Stacy ones, or something like that haha And thank you!! That’s also so cool about the masters -- congrats!! I started submitting poems and flash fictions back in August so I can relate a bit. Looking around and writing cover letters makes for such a good evening. And God, yeah, writing something good is crazy satisfying. I can only imagine how much it is to have written (2?) whole books. Thanks so much for the offer to keep in touch to talk some writing😌. Might just do that sometime! Or, maybe just to let you know what I thought of Perks of being a Wallflower. Anyways, my insta is aidanahern27 🎶, best wishes!
When I was in High school, one of my English teachers actually personally and privately compared me to Holden Caulfield. I tried to read the book during an in school 3 day probation, but I struggled with reading comprehension, so all I really walked away with was the part about toe nail clippings. I don't know why that was what I held on to. Anyways, a couple years later, while in college, a girlfriend told me that I should read " The perks of being a wallflower" because the main character reminded her so much of me. I tried reading it, but my reading comprehension hadn't improved much. I did really appreciate Charlie s mixed tape, partially because I am a fan of Ride. So, when the movie came out, I curiously watched it . I FINALLY had a RELATABLE CHARACTER. I got what people talk about ! Anyways, I'm sharing this for those that might have suggestions or advice. Thanks.
I love this book. I've just finished to read it in French (because I'm French). I think it's a pretty good translation. But actually, I didn't want to leave Holden. So this time I'm reading it in English. First It's a good way to improve my english, second I really wanted to hear his real voice :)
In high school my English teacher Mr. Hammond ( 1986 )read it to us and he read the invoice of the characters in the book. The men, women the children. He did a great job od Mr. Spencer.
I love the catcher in the rye, I'm actually Spanish and I just started reading in English as well. I must say your video is just perfect, you address all the good things of the book I noticed, his unique voice, his depressed, moody, angry voice, then you discover he is actually really sensible and kind of suffers from that. READ FRANNY AND ZOOEY, YOU WILL LOVE IT, and then I watched a video in RUclips from a teacher at Yale explaining the book, which make it even more revealing "and all". It's not like the catcher in the rye but at the same time is the same, I mean the unique voice changes to other protagonist this time and that Salinger makes it fantastic. Anyway I really liked your video, your quotes selections and all. Thanks for all.
Velma Grishamº thanks so much for watching! I’d love to check out that book as well. Holden is such a complex character and it always makes me sad when people say they hate this book because Holden wasn’t likable. I think they’re missing the point. Glad you liked the video 😄
I feel like the story aged well and applies to today's world more than ever. Something people my age have a habit of doing is talking about how good things used to be, how social media ruined everything, etc. This book is set in the late 40s/early 50s, and the main character is experiencing all of the troubles that we have today. My takeaway is that it's normal to struggle, that it doesn't make you weird if you're having trouble fitting in, and to not always take everything so seriously and to enjoy the good things in life while you can.
My English class read this book recently and I think it's my favorite book I've ever read. I've bee looking for more perspective on the book so I appreciate your thoughts and ideas (also I'll have to go read perks of being a wallflower). However, I think you missed a couple elements which add to the meaning and understanding of the book quite a bit. Like the fact that Holden tells his story from a mental hospital out in California, or how the symbolism of objects throughout the book, like Holden's red hunting hat being a symbol of protection and lack of vulnerability. Maybe you did pick up on these and I either didn't catch it in the video or you just decided not to mention it, but I think they're important to having a more complete understanding of the text. It's also interesting that you believe there is an added bonus for reading this as a high schooler because as a 17-year-old boy who can relate to Holden in many aspects, I agree the book has some additional meaning, specifically about masculinity.
This is a really lovely review and reading of a classic. It was fun to find your channel, and to hear your surprise at all of those moments. Also a good reminder that I should keep teaching this book in my ENG classes every year, cause it's worth it even if it just connects a with a few students a year. Excited to see a few more videos on your channel.
Just finished reading it (I’m 16) and I have to say this is now my favourite book, easy to read, relatable, funny and by the end of it absolutely loved Holden, one of my favourite (if not my favourite) character in any book I’ve read
Co Vooo that’s so good to hear! If you haven’t read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I’d definitely recommend you check it out. Really feels like the modern day Catcher in the Rye.
Catcher in the Rye is my favorite book of all time. Read it when I was 11. My stepfather gave it to me. In highschool, my first long term girlfriend made me read Perks of Being A Wallflower and I loved that as well. I find your personality to be very magnetic.
Uh oh, I hope my previous comment shows up. If not, just wanted to say I remembered your review from a long time ago, and after recently finishing the book for the first time, I'm glad I found this review again.
I am 21 and about to read this book. We did have to read this in high school, but I bypassed it taking college English so I feel like I missed out here I am about to read it! It sounds super interesting can’t wait!
im 17 and i just read this book and it brought me to tears, almost as though this book had more meaning than everyone around me, (this is a fairly big exaggeration on my part) but i think that illustrates very well the impact this book has had on me just thought i would share my thoughts, i don't always do that :) edit: also i wasn't required to read this in hs
I laughed so damn much at that part where he was leaving the school too oh my god Im writing a reasearch paper for college and im going to write it about this book, ive read it in arabic and the translation was actually great! its been about a year since i read it and this refreshed my memory, thanks alot!
Have you ever read Crime & Punishment? Today, I've just finished The Catcher in The Rye and, together with C&P, now regard it as one of the greatest books I've ever read. Not that I'm an avid reader nor anything like that, of course. But the main thing about those novels is the main character; I found their extreme views of society very appealing, as a crazy teenager myself. Loved your comments, btw; you mentioned very memorable quotes and aspects of the book and all. Also, it just amazed me how good of a liar and how quick Holden is, it just killed me when later on in the novel all of a sudden he'd come up with those crazy plans of running away and starting a new life from scratch, although he probably believed in them. Boy, that's the spitting image of my high school years, always deeply unhappy with my present situation and prospects...
Victor Araujo as wild as Holden might seem as a character on the surface, it really is a damn relatable book isn’t it? I’ve not yet read crime and punishment but it’s on my list for sure!! You should read the perks of being a wallflower if you haven’t yet. It feels like the modern day catcher in the rye. It’s my favorite book from the past 150 years as well :)
@@SaoirsesShelf, sure ma'am. I'll probably read it right away, it seems a really interesting book. With this sudden availability of infinite amounts of spare time I think I'm just gonna read every goddam book in the whole world.
@@SaoirsesShelf, just finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower. A wonderful (or shall I call it infinite?) experience I must say. Just like Charlie, it seems that my favorite book is always the last one I've read. I got surprised not being able to find a video about it in your channel, you should definitely consider making one.
@@VideosSTTME Oh believe me, I haven't forgotten! I kind of wanted to wait until I'm back with my full collection of books so I can show all the editions I have. Also, with it being my favorite, it gives me sooo much anxiety because I know I can never do it justice. I'm glad you read it! And there will be a video eventually!
If you really want to hear about it, people are always saying the should have read catcher in the rye, What really knocks me out is you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.
Hi. You have a fantastic way of telling people why you love "The Catcher in the Rye". It's my favorite novel, and it was first published in 1951, which is why I have just written a book called "Looking Back after 70 Years: J.D. Salinger’s 'Catcher in the Rye' Revisited". I'd be honored if you allowed me to send you a copy. What do you think?
I really just clicked on your.video because the book you were holding up was a used book and not a brand new one....also your cat was pretty cool. Yeah totally agree with the amount of times he says something depresses him as the book progresses and he gets more erratic.
Ive seen a few different reviews on the catcher on the rye, and i think what determines whether someone likes it or hates it is whether they relate to Holden or not. Some say they were really annoyed of him and spoke of how insufferable and unlikeable he is. I'm 15, turning 16 in a few months and just read the book, and i suppose i like it because he's a very relatable character at times - from the depression to little things like how getting gifts makes him sad - so i cant actually dislike him and actually did like him from the start. Always good to hear peoples opinions on it.
I read this book as a sophomore in 1965. A youngish female substitute Lit teacher gave it to me as a gift, not part of the curriculum. I’ve read it every so often since, the original copy, as recently as three months ago. This kid does a good job with it, in my opinion . . .
I always pictured a young Leonardo DiCaprio playing him if it were to be a movie /as Holden when I read it first in like 1995 ... I'm not sure why lol.. Anyhow great job on this and God Bless dear 🙏..
5:33 yeah, I felt that too. I honestly was expecting some sort of shocking ending where holden like, goes batshit and fucks some people up. As he haplessly attempted to talk to people throughout the story, he definitely became more depressed and fed up with everything, probably contributing to his constant fantasies and intense emotional responses to seemingly benign imagery.
I have the exact copy and I got it from my Mum, too! That's so cool :) I think she bought it around 1981/82. I was really shocked when I started reading it because of the writing style, but I ended up flying through it in a day, I was absolutely captivated. Also, I thought the way Holden expressed his thoughts was hilarious, I was laughing out loud most of the book lol
I have that exact copy of the catcher in he rye, fun fact the front and back cover are exactly the same and I also never had to read it in school, they made me read Shakespeare, to kill a mocking bird, and Fahrenheit 451 instead
Oh I had a Romeo Juliet that’s why either tonight or in the odyssey had every animal farm I had a Rita the little prince the alchemist to draw mockingbird Julius Caesar crucible catching the ray great Gatsby station 11 hamlet Toni Morrison add mice of men in a couple of her books
your interpretation of this book has honestly given me a bit more respect for it. (full disclosure: i read it a year ago for the first time, and uh, i hated it.) i might have to go back to it and read it again soon.
Also Salinger would not let the book be made into a movie. Because he let someone make a movie out of For Esmé-with Love and Squalor and they made a mess out of it.
I never read Catcher in the Rye Wasn't a school requirement for me, and despite everyone saying that it's a good read and I should read it, never had a burning urge to read it, like at all I was into a... different genre... (flashbacks of sword and sorcery, coin and cleavage) I constantly think about how they're only getting me to read it so they don't have to suffer alone, not once did anyone actually elaborate on it except for the makers of South Park, and just unloaded on how cheated they were by the way they were bamboozled into reading a school required book And I still didn't have any incentive to go read a copy Nobody will actually elaborate on the topic other than 'you're just going to have to read it for yourself' It's like saying that you have to figure out how to adult and no one around you is going to help
@@SaoirsesShelf haha nice emoji. Just because you said your favourite type of book is a character study, it is pretty immersive, and weirdly funny. So is the loser by bernhard, but I wouldn't recommend a book that will 💯 make u feel like crap.
I totally get it! I never understood the title and I just stayed away from it. So glad I finally read it and got to be surprised by how brilliant it is. :D
I felt anxious when he was watching Phoebe on the carousel. I was worried she was going to fall and was relieved when he got her home. I thought that’s how the story was going to end and Holden would be responsible for her death.
I definitely felt an ominous tone toward the end of the book, and I kind of love that it had that tone because, even though the ending wasn’t disastrous, it leaves us with that feeling that nothing will ever be quite ok.
Possession is the motivation That's hanging up the goddamn nation Looks like we always end up in a rut. Trying to make it real But compared to what? Sock it to me!
Inês Alexandra Rafael it can be interpreted in different ways. Check out this Spark Notes link, maybe it’ll help! www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/what-does-the-ending-mean/
What an inspiring contribution to Gideons Swear Jar. Thank you, I never read this book but am glad to see, hear, and feel your true insight and read and plane inflection and tone on a ...' novel '. Have a Happy Birth date and a Merry Christmas 2021...Beauty !
im 16 and i just finished it at first i hated(especially when he arrived in nyc) it i found it boring as i didnt enjoy the plot and i didn't get holden i found him a bit annoying. However nearer the end of the book i realised how depressed holden is and how lonely he is which made me feel empathy towards him and understood what was happening and then i really started to enjoy the book.
I read the book when I was maybe ten years old or so and I absolutely hated it. I wasn't forced to read it by the way. Someone recommended it as a classic and as a prolific reader who was at that time starved for reading material, I gave it a go and read maybe two thirds of the book. So what did I dislike about it? I felt that it tried to manipulate my emotions to hate the people the author wanted me to hate. If felt like he stacked the deck against the people he wanted me to hate and that really irked me. I can't recall the details of the book because I read it 40 years ago, but here's what I mean by "stacking the deck". Picture me writing a book and I want you to share my irrational hatred of librarians. So I make the librarian character a bully. Oh, that's not enough to make you hate librarians? He's a bully pedophile then. Now do you hate librarians? Not yet? He's a bully pedophile who betrayed his country in a very greedy and cowardly way. Now I bet you hate librarians. And of course the rational thought with regards to this is not, "I really hate librarians now. I never realized how evil they are." but, "Why the heck does this guy want me to hate librarians?".
I get why people don’t like him because he’s a douche I mean she said it up there he’s kind of a jerk and that is the point of the character by the same time we have to look deeper and mean to me in the book is to not judge a book by its cover connotation in a way so I get why you’re saying
But children are not always " good " and inncocent, they can be mean and self centered, i think in fact adulthood teaches us to be considerate to those around us. Great review though.
Those cats are no phonies. They are using that young lady with a Gaelic first name for free room and board while neglecting their duties in rodent abatement
I'm glad I never read it at school. As the book is linked to John Lennon's death. Mark Chapman has even said that he killed Lennon because of this book.
Just got this video recommendation after watching the skit from South Park with Butters just finishing the reading of this book. So, I must ask.. Did it made you want to kill John Lennon?
How about the scene where his teacher is patting his head and freaks out? Any thoughts about maybe being physically abused as a child, and that constant need for catching children from falling, and getting mad about the f word all around the places and what children might think of it and they would interrupt it, is actually his own way of protecting them. I felt he was suffering from PTSD. Great video Soarsie💕
Wow that's a great interpretation! Since it's been two years since I read the book, I'd honestly have to reread it to form a solid opinion. But from what I remember about Holden's love for his siblings, it's not a stretch to say that either he or they could have been abused, and that's what causes a lot of his behaviors in the book.
I believe he said at some point he says he's had encounters like that before and describes vividly how it affects him physically. Personally, I think the teacher was a bit creepy in that scene namely because he was drunk and he called Holden handsome earlier in the scene. I do think that contributes to how he feels about adults.
Yes, he was definitely creepy according to Holden's narrative. I thought he might have exaggerated the scene because of previous experience. I think sometimes when going through such experiences, having doubts in others display of affection is quite common.
I just finished this book, the part I liked the most was his description of catching the kids from falling over the cliff and how I felt that explained his character arc. My interpretation is that he wants to catch the children before they enter adulthood. He wants to preserve that innocence and save them from all of the "phoniness" he sees around him. Then later when his sister wanted to leave school and join him, displaying a similar cynicism, I felt like he accomplished his goal by saving his sister from falling over that "cliff". At that point, Holden seems less depressed and more positive. Thanks for the review and good job editing the two parts into one.
Patrick Kehoe that’s such a fascinating interpretation, thanks so much for sharing! I’m already looking forward to rereading this one!
It seems an unwillingness to grow into all that adulthood entails began around the time catcher was written. Despite the phoniness being an accurate description of so many of us trying to "fit in", that seeming unwillingness to grow up is a major problem past generations didn't have.
@@SaoirsesShelf you reviewed my favorite book. Followed
@@SaoirsesShelf did you notice the number 65 being used throughout the book,I wonder if this is in reference to needing 65 percent in exams to pass ,just a theory ,but I noticed the numbers ,thankyou good vid
I think so he didn’t like false ¡
You "think" he had manic depression? You are he only one after watching over 6 reviews on Catcher, that understands, Holden is seriously depressed. He is emotionally disturbed, he is in fact suicidal. YES there's a reason for his angst. My god. people who just think he's an idiot who hates everybody is missing the point so badly. And the reason this book became so popular isn't because of the plot (of which there is none-its actually just a rant) its because Salinger changed into Holden and wrote in his vernacular SO well its was mind-bending. This style was never seen before--it was illuminating. I read this as a high school student in the mid sixties and we absolutely loved it because of the STYLE. The teachers all had us writing our thoughts like Holden--it was wonderful. His family life was dysfunctional: no parental love or guidance, no role models; he is bitter , yes, he hates because he wants love, doesn't get it. Yes it is a character study, yes you got it! seriously you are the only one--thank you, I was looking desperately for someone who understood this book. You are a smart person. yea!!
I completely agree mental health is absolutely the issue here along with unresolved grief and sexual molestation.
I do think he was mentally ill
This is my absolute favorite book. I remember reading it in highschool and literally like finishing it in a day and secretly reading it in biology class because I was so caught up in it. One thing I've come to realize many years later is that a lot of the book is also about emotional neglect. When Holden is asking the cab driver about when the pond freezes over, it's like he's asking him, how do I survive in this frozen pond of a life I'm living in? He hates being alone, but he's got nowhere else to go. Great great book, and thanks so much for reviewing it.
Param Bhattacharyya I love this input! Thanks so much for sharing. That’s a great interpretation of the frozen pond.
love that scene
There's one paragraph in the book that really hit home. It goes,
"Okay," I said. It was against my principles and all, but I was feeling so depressed I didn't even think. That's the whole trouble. When you're feeling depressed, you can't even think.
I think the book is a manifesto of how JD Salinger (Holden) was indeed the catcher in the rye for many of us 😁
I have read the book 3 times already and am starting the 4th time. I simply love the "language," the "voice," that semi-stream-of-consciousness style/technique through which Holden unfolds himself to us, or rather, to himself. It's like he's just thinking aloud. Thanks for the review. Well-done!
This book is one of my favourites ever. It resonates with me so much and I feel has shaped me in a way and changed my perspective in life. I love it and I love Holden and when i read it it hurts and makes me happy and nervous and sad all at once and I need that sometimes. I think we all do. Thanks for this, was nice to listen to :)
I've read this book in my depression period, when I was 21 y.o. It showed me right way to get inner peace & peace with this world
My favorite aspect of The Catcher in the Rye is that every time I read the book I make a new connection. Like every time Holden feels like meeting or calling up Jane, he immediately retreats. It’s like Stradlater said. Why doesn’t he just do it. I understand why Holden would feel hesitant after Stradlater’s date, but what about before the date. It was the perfect opportunity. And after reading the book, I would go back and forth thinking about stuff like that and it never gets old.
The way you wrote this kinda sounds like Holden towards the end. I like it.
He doesn’t call Jane because he’s scared that she has been “ruined” and her innocence has been lost (from her date with Stradlater). I think he is also scared to be rejected from her, since he had been rejected by most people in the novel.
@@eagann92 I have thought about Holden being rejected as one possible reason that he didn't call or meet her. But it never occurred to me that he would be scared that she would be "ruined".
@TORA Zavala-Suarez You're right. Great works of art never get old. Motzart's music never does.
i think holden is afraid of being rejected by jane since she seems to be the only one at his age that could understand him
What I like about the voice of the book is that it seems like Holden is word vomiting his thoughts, almost uncontrollably. I've definitely been there, even when I meant to keep inside the anguish I was facing. Mainly because I thought people were sick of hearing me talk about the same old problems. So, Holden's frustration and grumbling is very relatable.
I’m 51 years old and read this book for the first time this week. it brought me to tears. Its my favorite book now.
I love this.I feel like I'm sitting in the room with you.And you're just telling me what you think! Also I love your cat❤❤
I'm sixty five years old and I no longer have time to reread my favorite books, because I'm in bucket list mode for my reading wish list, but I will make an exception for The Catcher in the Rye, because of your review. It was spectacular, your understanding of Holden is deep.
I watched some of this review years ago - like maybe 4 or 5 years ago. And I remembered you talking about how surprisingly funny you found Catcher in the Rye (although you don't actually seem to say that, so huh). Then for whatever random reason I finally decided to read it this week and I loved it. I searched for Catcher in the Rye reviews to see if I could find your video again, and here I am. I didn't recall what else you said, but rewatching your review now, I mostly had the same feelings you did throughout the book. Except I didn't find Holden annoying even at the beginning of the book - but I got spoiled on him having a troubled past, and the book being about Holden lamenting the loss of innocence, so I was immediately accepting and curious about him.
Throughout the years I've heard people complain about Holden so I was almost expecting him to be a smartass or bad person or something but he was surprisingly nice through the whole book. Just severely psychologically troubled. I sympathized with him completely.
BTW Holden calling a guy "commander blop" made me laugh.
I totally agree the best part of the book is the “voice” it jumps out of the book right into my mind. I barely recall the plot or the characters but I remember the voice like I read it yesterday [I read it almost 20 years ago when I was 17].
Also David Copperfield is great!! LOL
16:36 So cute. The cat is in love with the book.
The Catcher in the Rye happens to be my all time fav and I absolutely love your reading of it. Like, finally -- a recent-ish video which doesn't hold him to moral standards of a saint. I could talk about the book for a whole afternoon. It's American lit at some of its most magnificent, to me anyways. I think Holden is an emotionally disturbed youth who still manages to be funny, uniquely empathetic, and yes, big hearted. He loves life and people so much more than he can realize yet because of all of the trauma affecting his thought process. He's a good dude, but rubs a lot of people the wrong way -- can he even help it yet? I've sure been there. My psychologist actually 'prescribed' this book to me when I was 17. My mom died when I was 10, and yeah, it marked my social behaviour as a teen. Was cynical and in more pain than I could realize. I can't begin to say how much I identified with Holden. Would make fires in the woods, smoke players cigarettes, and read away til dark. Nice to look back on. And a lot of my friends identified me with him (and still do, lol). I just turned 22 and understand this book better than ever now. I think it will forever live on as one of the most fiery, beautiful expressions of unprocessed grief as a teen, and how phoney everything to do with conventional society can feel in that boat. Please keep this channel going, you have a lovely attitude and these videos are honest to God gems. I'm trying to do English Honours with the hope of being a proper writer some day -- and I wish you the very best with your own work!
Cheers from Nova-Scotia, Canada : )
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and story!! I love your interpretation of Holden. I think some people don’t understand him because they haven’t experienced trauma and can’t see how it manifests in different people, especially “difficult” children. There is always something behind the behavior we exhibit to the world. Our experiences shape our psyche and some of us cope better than others. I relate to Holden’s cynicism so much and I just found this book to be one of the saddest, most beautiful and honest accounts of the human experience.
Have you read The Perks of Being a Wallflower? I always bring this up haha. It really is the modern day (well, 90s, my god I’m old) Catcher in the Rye. It has gotten me through so much in life and is by far my favorite modern novel.
Good luck with your writing!! I just finished my masters in creative writing, and jumping into the world of submissions is scary and it’s hard to get the motivation to create. But when I do, it’s so satisfying. Do keep in touch if you ever want to talk writing! ☺️
@@SaoirsesShelf So glad you replied!! And that the book resonated with you on the levels it did. I’ve never read The Perks of Being a Wallflower but would love to. It sounds great and has always intrigued me whenever brought up. I'll be sure to get a copy and read it this summer, looking forward to that.
Have you read Harriet the Spy? Another really wonderful youth novel and for-sure of the same vein as Catcher in the Rye. It came out in 1964, delightful, one of a kind book; wish people'd give it more credit these days tbh. I only heard about it through an old Simpsons episode where they brought it up as an example of a genuinely good book kids oughta read instead of Malibu Stacy ones, or something like that haha
And thank you!! That’s also so cool about the masters -- congrats!! I started submitting poems and flash fictions back in August so I can relate a bit. Looking around and writing cover letters makes for such a good evening. And God, yeah, writing something good is crazy satisfying. I can only imagine how much it is to have written (2?) whole books.
Thanks so much for the offer to keep in touch to talk some writing😌. Might just do that sometime! Or, maybe just to let you know what I thought of Perks of being a Wallflower. Anyways, my insta is aidanahern27 🎶, best wishes!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! feels like talking to a friend about a book
Злющий плющ thanks for watching! That’s just what I want it to feel like!
When I was in High school, one of my English teachers actually personally and privately compared me to Holden Caulfield. I tried to read the book during an in school 3 day probation, but I struggled with reading comprehension, so all I really walked away with was the part about toe nail clippings. I don't know why that was what I held on to. Anyways, a couple years later, while in college, a girlfriend told me that I should read " The perks of being a wallflower" because the main character reminded her so much of me. I tried reading it, but my reading comprehension hadn't improved much. I did really appreciate Charlie s mixed tape, partially because I am a fan of Ride. So, when the movie came out, I curiously watched it . I FINALLY had a RELATABLE CHARACTER. I got what people talk about ! Anyways, I'm sharing this for those that might have suggestions or advice. Thanks.
I wish I had this assigned in high school too. Just read it at 21 and i totally still identified with Holden. Great book, and nice video.
I love this book. I've just finished to read it in French (because I'm French). I think it's a pretty good translation. But actually, I didn't want to leave Holden. So this time I'm reading it in English. First It's a good way to improve my english, second I really wanted to hear his real voice :)
L'attrape coeur ;)
Thanks for this great review. I first read Catcher at 16 and keep returning to it.
In high school my English teacher Mr. Hammond ( 1986 )read it to us and he read the invoice of the characters in the book. The men, women the children. He did a great job od Mr. Spencer.
I love the catcher in the rye, I'm actually Spanish and I just started reading in English as well. I must say your video is just perfect, you address all the good things of the book I noticed, his unique voice, his depressed, moody, angry voice, then you discover he is actually really sensible and kind of suffers from that. READ FRANNY AND ZOOEY, YOU WILL LOVE IT, and then I watched a video in RUclips from a teacher at Yale explaining the book, which make it even more revealing "and all". It's not like the catcher in the rye but at the same time is the same, I mean the unique voice changes to other protagonist this time and that Salinger makes it fantastic. Anyway I really liked your video, your quotes selections and all. Thanks for all.
Velma Grishamº thanks so much for watching! I’d love to check out that book as well. Holden is such a complex character and it always makes me sad when people say they hate this book because Holden wasn’t likable. I think they’re missing the point. Glad you liked the video 😄
I'm rewatching it again. Somehow it calms me down. Your whole channel is so good. Take care and never give up doing this please 😊
I feel like the story aged well and applies to today's world more than ever. Something people my age have a habit of doing is talking about how good things used to be, how social media ruined everything, etc.
This book is set in the late 40s/early 50s, and the main character is experiencing all of the troubles that we have today. My takeaway is that it's normal to struggle, that it doesn't make you weird if you're having trouble fitting in, and to not always take everything so seriously and to enjoy the good things in life while you can.
My English class read this book recently and I think it's my favorite book I've ever read. I've bee looking for more perspective on the book so I appreciate your thoughts and ideas (also I'll have to go read perks of being a wallflower). However, I think you missed a couple elements which add to the meaning and understanding of the book quite a bit. Like the fact that Holden tells his story from a mental hospital out in California, or how the symbolism of objects throughout the book, like Holden's red hunting hat being a symbol of protection and lack of vulnerability. Maybe you did pick up on these and I either didn't catch it in the video or you just decided not to mention it, but I think they're important to having a more complete understanding of the text. It's also interesting that you believe there is an added bonus for reading this as a high schooler because as a 17-year-old boy who can relate to Holden in many aspects, I agree the book has some additional meaning, specifically about masculinity.
This is a really lovely review and reading of a classic. It was fun to find your channel, and to hear your surprise at all of those moments. Also a good reminder that I should keep teaching this book in my ENG classes every year, cause it's worth it even if it just connects a with a few students a year. Excited to see a few more videos on your channel.
Just finished reading it (I’m 16) and I have to say this is now my favourite book, easy to read, relatable, funny and by the end of it absolutely loved Holden, one of my favourite (if not my favourite) character in any book I’ve read
Co Vooo that’s so good to hear! If you haven’t read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I’d definitely recommend you check it out. Really feels like the modern day Catcher in the Rye.
this is my absolute favourite book of all time!
Catcher in the Rye is my favorite book of all time. Read it when I was 11. My stepfather gave it to me.
In highschool, my first long term girlfriend made me read Perks of Being A Wallflower and I loved that as well.
I find your personality to be very magnetic.
Uh oh, I hope my previous comment shows up. If not, just wanted to say I remembered your review from a long time ago, and after recently finishing the book for the first time, I'm glad I found this review again.
I am 21 and about to read this book. We did have to read this in high school, but I bypassed it taking college English so I feel like I missed out here I am about to read it! It sounds super interesting can’t wait!
JillandIanStudio I hope you love it!!
im 17 and i just read this book and it brought me to tears, almost as though this book had more meaning than everyone around me, (this is a fairly big exaggeration on my part) but i think that illustrates very well the impact this book has had on me
just thought i would share my thoughts, i don't always do that :)
edit: also i wasn't required to read this in hs
I laughed so damn much at that part where he was leaving the school too oh my god
Im writing a reasearch paper for college and im going to write it about this book, ive read it in arabic and the translation was actually great! its been about a year since i read it and this refreshed my memory, thanks alot!
we had to read it in high school and i loved it
Have you ever read Crime & Punishment? Today, I've just finished The Catcher in The Rye and, together with C&P, now regard it as one of the greatest books I've ever read. Not that I'm an avid reader nor anything like that, of course. But the main thing about those novels is the main character; I found their extreme views of society very appealing, as a crazy teenager myself.
Loved your comments, btw; you mentioned very memorable quotes and aspects of the book and all. Also, it just amazed me how good of a liar and how quick Holden is, it just killed me when later on in the novel all of a sudden he'd come up with those crazy plans of running away and starting a new life from scratch, although he probably believed in them. Boy, that's the spitting image of my high school years, always deeply unhappy with my present situation and prospects...
Victor Araujo as wild as Holden might seem as a character on the surface, it really is a damn relatable book isn’t it? I’ve not yet read crime and punishment but it’s on my list for sure!! You should read the perks of being a wallflower if you haven’t yet. It feels like the modern day catcher in the rye. It’s my favorite book from the past 150 years as well :)
@@SaoirsesShelf, sure ma'am. I'll probably read it right away, it seems a really interesting book. With this sudden availability of infinite amounts of spare time I think I'm just gonna read every goddam book in the whole world.
@@SaoirsesShelf, just finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower. A wonderful (or shall I call it infinite?) experience I must say. Just like Charlie, it seems that my favorite book is always the last one I've read. I got surprised not being able to find a video about it in your channel, you should definitely consider making one.
@@VideosSTTME Oh believe me, I haven't forgotten! I kind of wanted to wait until I'm back with my full collection of books so I can show all the editions I have. Also, with it being my favorite, it gives me sooo much anxiety because I know I can never do it justice. I'm glad you read it! And there will be a video eventually!
If you really want to hear about it, people are always saying the should have read catcher in the rye, What really knocks me out is you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.
are you the author?
Hi. You have a fantastic way of telling people why you love "The Catcher in the Rye". It's my favorite novel, and it was first published in 1951, which is why I have just written a book called "Looking Back after 70 Years: J.D. Salinger’s 'Catcher in the Rye' Revisited". I'd be honored if you allowed me to send you a copy. What do you think?
Love love love love LOVE this video. Thanks for sharing your thoughts ♥️
Beautiful, and gorgeous cats too Saoirse!
(I'm an angsty 69 yr young dude that read Catcher in high school way back in '69...)
This was fascinating to hear. It’s always good to hear another unique perspective on this great book.
I’m reading this book right now it’s hilariously great. Holden Caulfield is a sweetheart.
I wish I had read this in high school too. Instead I read it today. It took me back to my teenager years. I would have found the book very relatable.
Listen to the audiobook on librivox recordings. The actor does such a great job. I think his name is Ray Hagen.
I really just clicked on your.video because the book you were holding up was a used book and not a brand new one....also your cat was pretty cool. Yeah totally agree with the amount of times he says something depresses him as the book progresses and he gets more erratic.
Ive seen a few different reviews on the catcher on the rye, and i think what determines whether someone likes it or hates it is whether they relate to Holden or not. Some say they were really annoyed of him and spoke of how insufferable and unlikeable he is. I'm 15, turning 16 in a few months and just read the book, and i suppose i like it because he's a very relatable character at times - from the depression to little things like how getting gifts makes him sad - so i cant actually dislike him and actually did like him from the start. Always good to hear peoples opinions on it.
I read this book as a sophomore in 1965. A youngish female substitute Lit teacher gave it to me as a gift, not part of the curriculum. I’ve read it every so often since, the original copy, as recently as three months ago. This kid does a good job with it, in my opinion . . .
I always pictured a young Leonardo DiCaprio playing him if it were to be a movie /as Holden when I read it first in like 1995 ... I'm not sure why lol.. Anyhow great job on this and God Bless dear 🙏..
This brought me so much joy 🖤
Looks like my copy. I read it in high school in the 70s.
5:33 yeah, I felt that too. I honestly was expecting some sort of shocking ending where holden like, goes batshit and fucks some people up. As he haplessly attempted to talk to people throughout the story, he definitely became more depressed and fed up with everything, probably contributing to his constant fantasies and intense emotional responses to seemingly benign imagery.
I have the exact copy and I got it from my Mum, too! That's so cool :) I think she bought it around 1981/82.
I was really shocked when I started reading it because of the writing style, but I ended up flying through it in a day, I was absolutely captivated. Also, I thought the way Holden expressed his thoughts was hilarious, I was laughing out loud most of the book lol
This book has such a “voice”, doesn’t it?? Nothing I love more than a distinct sound in writing. It makes everything come to life.
I love this book! Read it more than once! And I also read random parts!
Re-read it not long ago, still fantastic, but Salinger’s best work is Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters and Seymour; an Introduction
Thankyou, you have a beautiful mind.
Why doesn't anybody mention his fear of sex? Like an allegory of becoming an adult
I have that exact copy of the catcher in he rye, fun fact the front and back cover are exactly the same and I also never had to read it in school, they made me read Shakespeare, to kill a mocking bird, and Fahrenheit 451 instead
Oh I had a Romeo Juliet that’s why either tonight or in the odyssey had every animal farm I had a Rita the little prince the alchemist to draw mockingbird Julius Caesar crucible catching the ray great Gatsby station 11 hamlet Toni Morrison add mice of men in a couple of her books
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on this book / Thank You !
your interpretation of this book has honestly given me a bit more respect for it. (full disclosure: i read it a year ago for the first time, and uh, i hated it.)
i might have to go back to it and read it again soon.
It took me a while to understand the meaning of the title 😅 -Love the book! Lol
Did you heard the Konklins Plesiosaur Album? There is a 2004 phone call by Salinger on one track.
Also Salinger would not let the book be made into a movie. Because he let someone make a movie out of For Esmé-with Love and Squalor and they made a mess out of it.
I never read Catcher in the Rye
Wasn't a school requirement for me, and despite everyone saying that it's a good read and I should read it, never had a burning urge to read it, like at all
I was into a... different genre... (flashbacks of sword and sorcery, coin and cleavage)
I constantly think about how they're only getting me to read it so they don't have to suffer alone, not once did anyone actually elaborate on it except for the makers of South Park, and just unloaded on how cheated they were by the way they were bamboozled into reading a school required book
And I still didn't have any incentive to go read a copy
Nobody will actually elaborate on the topic other than 'you're just going to have to read it for yourself'
It's like saying that you have to figure out how to adult and no one around you is going to help
such a cute cat !
That’s what my copy looks like.
Thats a good kitty
Beautiful, calm review. Have you read hunger by hamsun?
Thanks! No I have not 😱
@@SaoirsesShelf haha nice emoji. Just because you said your favourite type of book is a character study, it is pretty immersive, and weirdly funny. So is the loser by bernhard, but I wouldn't recommend a book that will 💯 make u feel like crap.
I didn't read until I was really old! I understand.
Smallest coffee sip ever.
Loved your thoughts on it.. haven't read it yet..(the title put me off tbh. How stupid I feel right now.) Looking forward to reading It. :)
I totally get it! I never understood the title and I just stayed away from it. So glad I finally read it and got to be surprised by how brilliant it is. :D
I love your interpretation of the book!
Steppenwolf
German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steppenwolf_(novel)
Splendid!
Hello , what is the name of the book that you mentioned and you said is similar to The catcher in the rye?
It was probably The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it’s like the modern day Catcher in my opinion!
I just read (listened to) Catcher again as an adult. Hated it as a kid. I still don't like it, but I don't hate it.
Also you're cute
I felt anxious when he was watching Phoebe on the carousel. I was worried she was going to fall and was relieved when he got her home. I thought that’s how the story was going to end and Holden would be responsible for her death.
I definitely felt an ominous tone toward the end of the book, and I kind of love that it had that tone because, even though the ending wasn’t disastrous, it leaves us with that feeling that nothing will ever be quite ok.
Possession is the motivation
That's hanging up the goddamn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut.
Trying to make it real
But compared to what?
Sock it to me!
I will have a test about this book .
I didn't get the meaning of the end .Can you help me understand it?
Inês Alexandra Rafael it can be interpreted in different ways. Check out this Spark Notes link, maybe it’ll help! www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/what-does-the-ending-mean/
You drinkin' coffee=dark sided.
(If you have not seen 'dark sided' you have to youtube it.)
What an inspiring contribution to Gideons Swear Jar. Thank you, I never read this book but am glad to see, hear, and feel your true insight and read and plane inflection and tone on a ...' novel '. Have a Happy Birth date and a Merry Christmas 2021...Beauty !
Anyway It's really a good book, it really is, no joking.
you are magical. xoxo
Thebcat was like "puck you and all"
im 16 and i just finished it at first i hated(especially when he arrived in nyc) it i found it boring as i didnt enjoy the plot and i didn't get holden i found him a bit annoying. However nearer the end of the book i realised how depressed holden is and how lonely he is which made me feel empathy towards him and understood what was happening and then i really started to enjoy the book.
I read the book when I was maybe ten years old or so and I absolutely hated it. I wasn't forced to read it by the way. Someone recommended it as a classic and as a prolific reader who was at that time starved for reading material, I gave it a go and read maybe two thirds of the book.
So what did I dislike about it? I felt that it tried to manipulate my emotions to hate the people the author wanted me to hate. If felt like he stacked the deck against the people he wanted me to hate and that really irked me.
I can't recall the details of the book because I read it 40 years ago, but here's what I mean by "stacking the deck". Picture me writing a book and I want you to share my irrational hatred of librarians. So I make the librarian character a bully. Oh, that's not enough to make you hate librarians? He's a bully pedophile then. Now do you hate librarians? Not yet? He's a bully pedophile who betrayed his country in a very greedy and cowardly way. Now I bet you hate librarians. And of course the rational thought with regards to this is not, "I really hate librarians now. I never realized how evil they are." but, "Why the heck does this guy want me to hate librarians?".
👍
It seems like everyone dislikes Holden but I feel like he is kind of relatable though
I get why people don’t like him because he’s a douche I mean she said it up there he’s kind of a jerk and that is the point of the character by the same time we have to look deeper and mean to me in the book is to not judge a book by its cover connotation in a way so I get why you’re saying
It's not my fault!
Nice cat.
I read it in my 40s and Lmao
But children are not always " good " and inncocent, they can be mean and self centered, i think in fact adulthood teaches us to be considerate to those around us. Great review though.
"very true... and sad... and horrible" :)
Those cats are no phonies. They are using that young lady with a Gaelic first name for free room and board while neglecting their duties in rodent abatement
I'm glad I never read it at school. As the book is linked to John Lennon's death. Mark Chapman has even said that he killed Lennon because of this book.
This book is hilarious in my opinion I can definitely get why some people hate it
Just got this video recommendation after watching the skit from South Park with Butters just finishing the reading of this book. So, I must ask..
Did it made you want to kill John Lennon?
Nieto mx ju
0
How about the scene where his teacher is patting his head and freaks out?
Any thoughts about maybe being physically abused as a child, and that constant need for catching children from falling, and getting mad about the f word all around the places and what children might think of it and they would interrupt it, is actually his own way of protecting them. I felt he was suffering from PTSD.
Great video Soarsie💕
Wow that's a great interpretation! Since it's been two years since I read the book, I'd honestly have to reread it to form a solid opinion. But from what I remember about Holden's love for his siblings, it's not a stretch to say that either he or they could have been abused, and that's what causes a lot of his behaviors in the book.
@@SaoirsesShelf yes, true!
I believe he said at some point he says he's had encounters like that before and describes vividly how it affects him physically. Personally, I think the teacher was a bit creepy in that scene namely because he was drunk and he called Holden handsome earlier in the scene. I do think that contributes to how he feels about adults.
Yes, he was definitely creepy according to Holden's narrative. I thought he might have exaggerated the scene because of previous experience. I think sometimes when going through such experiences, having doubts in others display of affection is quite common.
@@noura4643 agreed, but Mr. Antolini really care about Holden, he knows he’s a different student and genuinely wants to help him.
I know you probably know, but you're pretty.
Itsthe story of a person disappointed with life. He also liked very young girls
no
I mean Salinger did date really young girls but I don't think The Catcher in the Rye is his autobiography or anything.