Why is the Catcher in the Rye so popular?

Question: Why is the Catcher in the Rye so popular!?

I am a teenager, and I really like reading, but I did not enjoy Catcher!. It just!.!.!.ended!. It's like it had no point whatsoever!. Could someone please offer their insight!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Funny story, i LOVE to read, too!. I'll read ANYTHING!. And I've read a lot, so I decided to read Catcher!. I heard what a great piece it was from SO many people, even people that hated reading!. I kept waiting for there to be a point!. I kept waiting for something of vast importance to happen!. But all I got out of it, was listening to some poor sap with everything in the world offered to him, and blowing it all away for stupid, trivial reasons!. Maybe he has schizophrenia and that's why he acts the way he does!. Who knows!. In the end, I was ticked off I read the stupid thing and I still don't get it!. Nor has anyone been successful in relating to me why this is such a wonderful book!. We may not find an answer!. :)

!.!.!.Well, apparently, you're d*mned if you like it, you're d*mned if you don't!. I can see the angst of the novel, I can see that it that showed the rebellion of a kid, but I think that with somewhat more of a plot and storyline, it would have been much more captivating!. I know I'm prob!. going to get a lot of thumbs down on that one, but if I want to simply read about an angst filled mind, I only have to look back to the scribblings in my own notebook from a few years ago!. I guess for its time, it was certainly original and compelling to read, but against other literary works available now (and even others from the past) I just don't think this book measures up!. Sorry to the haters, I understand your passion for the book, as I feel passionate about many books, but I just don't share it for this one!. Cheers to reading, though :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think it just relates to so many people!. It wasn't a beginning middle and end story!. It's just like a telling of a short time in ones life!. Not for the sake of a story or novel just for the sake of writing about a time like that!. I personally loved it!!! I don't even know what I'm on about but maybe it'll make sense to ya!. also when I was reading it the thoughts he would have are so funny and it's like I sometimes think like that!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because, when it came out (1950's), it broached subjects that were never broached before!. It dealt with the inner mind and thoughts of a teen going through puberty!. Back then, that was pretty radical! The word "masturbation" alone shocked many!. LOL I can see how it's lost its significance and "stunning effect" because you'll see much more on any half hour sit com, rap song, or PG movie than in the entire book!. remember, times were different back then!.

It ends the way it does because JD Salinger wants the reader to think about how Holden will continue his life based upon what the reader has learned about him!.

When I had to read it (many moons ago), it was still shocking the critics!. Today, it's nothing more than a literary masterpiece, but certainly not a shocker by any of today's standards!.

One of my favorite thoughts from the book is when Holden says, "Catholics always want to know if someone else is a Catholic!." LOL Well, as a catholic, that's true! LOL (By the way, are you a Catholic!?!?!?) LOLWww@QuestionHome@Com

i am seventeen years old and the catcher in the rye is the best book i have ever read!. for me, holden caulfield is so easy to relate to!. he always overanalyzes things, people, and situations!. he does what he wants to do, which i think a lot of people wish they could!. Holden is sarcastic in a way that makes you think!. i love that book so much i read it five times!. in less than two weeks!. i really do hate endings that leave you hanging, but i think jd salinger did it in a way that seriously makes you think about the book!. he also lets your imagination do a lot of the work!. he lets you wonder why and how holden got sick at the end of the book, but that is where your imagination picks up the rest!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I've read it!. I read it in my English class last year, and I didn't love it!. I didn't hate it!.!.!.but there were some things that annoyed me about the book, such as his language!. I don't mean the profanity!.!.!.but his words like "goddam" and I think another was like "sonuvabitch" or something, and I think it was that book where he kept ending his sentences with "and all" and it didn't take long for that to get old!.!.!.the poor grammar and weird words like the ones I mentioned just made it it a difficult read for me!.!.!.difficult as in, annoying!.!.!.unpleasant!.!.!.

It's weird!.!.!.but it seems to me like the "classics" I never really like!.!.!.Well that's not true!.!.!.I liked To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men!.!.!.but books like Catcher in the Rye, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Great Gatsby!.!.!.I just didn't get what made those books so great!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Holden Caulfield is simply the best rebel rousing, no bulls**t, won't accept any phony motherf*****s in his life, takes a stand, is totally un p!.c!.!.!.
It has HUGE points!.!.!.!.if you're a teen and it didn't thomp you like a medicine ball to your nads!.!.!.!.you may not have a pulse, son!.

It's without a doubt the premier novel about being a misunderstood, confused, angry, determined, driven teen that there will ever be!.

J!.D!. Salinger is a genius!. I STRONGLY encourage you to read it again after getting feedback here!. It's a novel that you must read as a kid, because it will NEVER have the same impact quite like it does when you walk in Holden's shoes!.!.!.trust me!.

If you're confused about why he feels the need to "save people" and what the title means!.!.!.!.that's a bit trickier but you could always send another post asking JUST about the meaning of the title!. I'm not sure what part you don't get!.!.!.!.add some detailsWww@QuestionHome@Com

It's basically about a person who's a loser and saw his brother died faces the world and people around him!.
He couldn't get over the fact that his brother died because he was like his best friend!.
also, he is depressed by the repetetive thing around him!. For example, going to work, going to work, and etc!.
He tries to find meaning in life!.
thats all I know from my memory!.
Hope it can help you and Good Luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Many people consider it the best example of a coming of age story of a young man!. It is considered a classic because it is a universal theme that is beautifully written!. There are many people, however, who agree with you!. I happen to think Franny and Zooey is a far superior example of his writing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's a good read, but his problems aren't really problems in the first place!. Most people can relate to him, but at the same time, he pretty much brought everything upon himself!. If the situation had been out of his control, you probably would have enjoyed it more!.

And the book doesn't even have an oh my gosh factor!. I mean, tons of YA books cuss, believe it or not!. So it's not really a big deal that Holden has a foul mouth!. You should read the Burn Journals!. Now that kid has problems!Www@QuestionHome@Com

i didn't like it at first but i think it depends on the reader's interest in characters!. i kinda liked that the protagonist was arrogant and a hypocrite!. it made for an interesting story!. but idk why it's really popular, maybe just a lot of people like it!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

i've read it too,

and it was something like a coming-of-age story!.

i know the language was a little profane but it told the story of how some teenager would deal with his failures and apprehensions in life that's allWww@QuestionHome@Com

Maybe it was ahead of it's time with the writing style!. It deals with teenage angst and maybe that's why so many young people can identify with it!? Just my guess!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Haven't read it since I was a teenager!. But I remember liking it then!. My husband who was my high school boy friend loved it!. Can't remember why!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

i liked holden's cynicism Www@QuestionHome@Com