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Post by mathgeek2010 on May 31, 2008 19:13:52 GMT -5
Did anyone read the Catcher In The Rye? Did you find the language in the book offensive, or do you think it added personality to the book?
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Isa
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Post by Isa on May 31, 2008 21:07:53 GMT -5
I've read it and loved it - I think it's one of those books people feel rather strongly about, in a positive or negative way. I didn't find the language offensive at all, for me it only made the character of Holden feel more real.
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annak
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
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Post by annak on May 31, 2008 21:33:18 GMT -5
I think the language helps identify the personaility of Holden. At first I wasn't sure about it, but as it moved along I found it pretty good and I'd probably re-read it again some day. I definitely agree with Isa when she says people have very strong feeling about the book, both good and bad. I know a lot of people who absolutely hate it with a passion.
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Post by mathgeek2010 on May 31, 2008 21:55:32 GMT -5
I personally Loved the book and did not find the language offensive, I just wanted others opinions. I was sad the way the book ended... "I don't feel like going into it." I didn't want it to end! Thank you for replying!!
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Post by Dominique on Jun 1, 2008 2:39:18 GMT -5
I'm one of those people who HATE this book. So does Kristie, she's my I hate Catcher in the Rye buddy I think I just couldn't stand how much Holden complains. To me it just seemed like a book full of complaining. I think it was mainly also the masculine teenage perspective of the world that I also disliked. I read it years ago though so maybe it also had to do with my perspective at the time of reading it. As I think I've said before I love The Bell Jar which is funny because it's supposed to be the female Catcher in the Rye so maybe it is the masculine perspective! I think there may already be a thread on this book somewhere... but I'm not sure.
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Isa
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Post by Isa on Jun 1, 2008 8:00:15 GMT -5
I can understand how people would compare Catcher in the Rye to The Bell Jar, but I can also understand how one can like only one of the two books because the main characters are so different. Holden Caulfield is one of my favorite characters ever, but even I have to admit that Esther Greenwood seems much more mature than he is...
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Post by mathgeek2010 on Jun 1, 2008 10:33:40 GMT -5
I do think Holden complained a lot, but I think that made it intresting. I can see how you would not like the book, but I did thing it was well written.I will have to read the Bell Jar.
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Post by ItalianLaneGirl on Jun 1, 2008 21:26:24 GMT -5
I read the Bell Jar last month... now I must read Catcher in the Rye! I didn't care too much for Bell Jar, so maybe I'll like Catcher... ?
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Post by mathgeek2010 on Jun 3, 2008 16:12:26 GMT -5
I just finished the bell jar, and I think I like it better than the catcher. Thanks for telling me about it!!
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Post by Little Miss Sunshine on Jun 4, 2008 16:51:56 GMT -5
The Catcher in the Rye is my favourite book. ;D I would agree that it's the kind of novel that generates a strong response, either positive or negative, and for me it was definitely the former. While I would agree that Holden complains a lot, I saw him more as sensitive than whiny, and I thought that went well with the whole novel's focus on adolescence - as a teenager I know that I rarely complain about anything important! It's nice because you realize Holden's rants might be trivial, yet they still matter, you know what I mean? Anyway, I love Holden and would date him. As far as the language goes, I felt it contributed to the tone Salinger developed (and he developed it very well - if you read his other works he's capable of sounding much more mature but in Catcher he captures the teenage voice perfectly) but at the same time I don't think any of the novel's obscenities are really the major focus. I always felt a stronger impact from the novel's themes, especially its message about change. I thought Salinger developed that really well with the ducks (where do they go in winter = how should you cope with change) and the museum exhibit (the concept of being able to eliminate change, which is why Holden finds it so fascinating). So yes, I love the book and I highly recommend it.
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Post by Dominique on Jun 5, 2008 21:55:48 GMT -5
I just finished the bell jar, and I think I like it better than the catcher. Thanks for telling me about it!! I'm glad you liked it! We have a really indepth old book club discussion of it floating around somewhere, you're always welcome to add to old book club book discussions even though the schedule has ended
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zeldafitzgerald
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Post by zeldafitzgerald on Jun 7, 2008 21:55:28 GMT -5
I didn't like Catcher in the Rye when I read it a few years ago. But since then I've read much more Salinger and I LOVE everything else he's written. I'm going to re-read Catcher soon and see if I feel differently about it, now that I appreciate Salinger's writing more.
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Isa
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Post by Isa on Jun 8, 2008 8:56:20 GMT -5
I wonder if it makes a difference when you read Catcher during your teenage years and you already have to deal with teenage boys on a daily basis... I read it for the first time when I was a bit older (I think I was 19) so instead of being annoyed by Holden, I just thought it was a really great depiction of a teenage boy, you know what I mean?
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Post by Dominique on Jun 8, 2008 9:14:30 GMT -5
I wonder if it makes a difference when you read Catcher during your teenage years and you already have to deal with teenage boys on a daily basis... I read it for the first time when I was a bit older (I think I was 19) so instead of being annoyed by Holden, I just thought it was a really great depiction of a teenage boy, you know what I mean? I actually think that's a big part of why I didn't like it. It reminded me too much of high school dramas and irritating, moaning, selfish teenage boys. Maybe if I read it now I'm a bit older I would like it better.
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Post by Melissa G. on Jun 8, 2008 11:49:52 GMT -5
I agree Isa and Dominique. I read it the first time in 9th grade, I think. I'd like to try it again. I felt like Salinger was just trying to see how many bad words he could use. I still have a copy so I think I will give it another try. (I'm 27 now, so that was a good 12 years ago!)
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