The Worst Book of all Time
May 4, 2022
I have read many books in my time, some alright and meh, and some that change my life on how amazing they were, even going back to reread them at times on rare occasions. I never have really hated a book… until this year. Hop on a rant session of a lifetime as I will be talking about the one book I hate most.
“Catcher in the Rye” is a book we were forced to read in English four. People often refer to school as ‘torture.’ However, never in my life have I believed that till this book. The amount of crap that was in each page about something the main character disliked or cried about was crazy. It was like listening to someone rant about something, which is fine, but for an entire 270 page long book. It was mentally exhausting to hear him complain about things people do normally or things that made zero sense. Sure, at the near end he realized that he should be a better person, but crawling through the amount of sh*t that was the entire book just to get to an alright end is bittersweet.
Things that the main character would do is stalk nearby neighbors when doing “dirty deeds” on numerous occasions. He would also pick fights he wouldn’t win and push those people’s buttons to the point of where he gets beaten to a pulp. Don’t even get me started on how he treated women, it was like they were objects to him. When he tried to make up with an old friend, he made a mess of himself and tried to run off with a lady as if he didn’t care about her plans in life, but when she said no, he insults and laughs at her, making her cry and leave. I don’t know if this was based on a real story or not, I am too mad to figure it out. It also didn’t help with how he smoked over 50 packs of cigarettes in the entire book (which was around a week long) and got himself drunk numerous nights.
I am not sure why this is even a school book, it shouldn’t have been made and shouldn’t have the amount of attention it has for being a “famous” book.
Gerald Williams • May 5, 2022 at 1:36 pm
I completely agree. This was a very underwhelming book.
Dr. Cornelius Abernathy • May 5, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Book bad.
Mr. Podwojski • May 5, 2022 at 11:54 am
I had a similar feeling when I had to read this book in high school, but upon re-reading it recently I had a new outlook to the way I looked at Holden. A much more pitiful, and sympathetic view. Perhaps you might have the same experience!
Nathan Tapscott • May 5, 2022 at 1:33 pm
I have heard that from Mrs. Kershaw as well, so maybe when I become an adult I will try the same since I have heard this from more than one person. Thank you for your encouraging and well said comment.
Mrs. Cline • May 5, 2022 at 9:13 am
*Worst (which you, dear anonymous reader, have just fixed)
*Book titles are italicized.
*until, not ’till’
*270-page-long
*comma splice(s)
🙂 Feeling passionately about a book–even hatred–is a mark of good literature, dear anonymous writer. We are surrounded by more Holden Caulfields than we may like to admit.
Nathan Tapscott • May 5, 2022 at 9:27 am
After reading your comment, I have made no secret of my disdain for the famous right: “Freedom of Speech.” But I realize, only now do I truly understand what it means due to your comment. Not everyone can become good at their words, but a great article or comment can come from anywhere. Yours could be said to be changing in a good way, but the way it was sent could only show the passion you take for this god forsaken book.