After reading the reviews of Amazon.com, I decided to read this book as part of an English assignment. I had a hard time putting this book down. If you like old-fashioned writing, this book is certainly one you should read! The blurb on the jacket cover isn't very appealing, but the book is much better than the editors make it sound. I recommend this book to anyone over the age of twelve who loves good literature.

The Catcher in the Rye is the best book I have ever written. I am a 15 year old, and no other book I have read has described a teenager as well as J.D. Salinger. At first, Holden Caulfield arouses the reader's sympathy, but quickly changes to frustration b/c one cannot tolerate Holden's kvetches for too long. One might interpret Holden as severely depressed and in need of a sgrink, but for me, I think Holden was actually a portrait of the typical teenager. Read this book!

When you ask the question, Would you read this book? Well I'll tell you why I would. Personally, I would read this book over and over again if I had the time. The Catcher in the Rye is a novel that is based on a teens life who has faced many challenges in his life. He went from going to a prep school and failing out, dealing with his brothers death, where to stay at night, who to call when he needed to vent about lifes troubles and worrying about telling his parents he failed out of prep school. He also told a lot of white-lies, but who doesn't? This book shows a lot about how a person deals with many troubles in their life, and how to move on and become a better person. Someone said,"Once you've found what your looking for, it's yours, go for it and don't look back." My favorite part of this book was comparing it to my own life. I may have difficulties in my life, but I have never given up. Like Holden, I wasn't very popular in high school either, but I never gave up the hope of thinking that one day people might like me for who I am. I'll do what I have to do, to get through life being happy and satisfied with what is before me. But and I quote, from my senior highschool year book, "I'll stay the way I am because I don't give a damn". That's just the way I am. In the book it said that Holden represses his emotions and pains inside, if he would have just let them out once in awhile, he would have had a better way of making decisions in his life. I was told many times before, don't give up on life when you are struggling, keep trying and smiling and you'll go far, farther than you can believe. But like I said before, I would read this book over and over again if I had the time in between my busy schedule. I've already read it twice, once in high school and now, my freshmen year of college. I would recommend this book to those of you who are understanding the troubles of highschool, and/or anyone whom may be struggling with the walks of life known to be difficult.

Although I am hardly of a scientific mind (as least not in this league), I am an administrative assistant for the Research Center this man works in. World renowned for his work, many people carry around his writings like a Bible. Very comprehensive and authoritative.