Best-Selling Classic Novel Ranked Among Most ‘Disappointing’ Books Ever on Goodreads

Devon ForwardTue, April 7, 2026 at 3:03 AM UTC

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Classic novels can be a tough sell for some readers, with older writing styles and complex storytelling challenging many modern book lovers. While some people think it's worth it to read the beloved old books, others would rather skip them altogether.

In the case of one coming-of-age novel often found in high school English lesson plans, thousands of readers found the book to be one of the most disappointing reads ever, and that's The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

The book was officially ranked in the top five positions on the Goodreads list of most "Disappointing Books." While more recent releases like Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the Westby Gregory Maguire ranked above Salinger's book, the classic took the fourth spot on the list.

The Catcher in the Rye was originally released in 1951, and the story follows a boy named Holden Caulfield as he spends a long weekend in New York City after being expelled from his prep school. The book explores teenage angst, loneliness, and a desire for authenticity and personal identity.

The novel explores a lot of complicated topics and themes through Caulfield's weekend adventure, and there are many different interpretations of the boy's story. While some people see the ending as hopeful, others feel like Caulfield exhibits no real growth by the end of it.

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There's not a lot of action in the book, and the end doesn't provide an answer or a big realization that might leave readers feeling satisfied. Overall, it's not hard to see how so many readers might be disappointed in The Catcher in the Rye.

Along with Salinger's well-known novel, there were other classics on the list as well, including The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Related: 1986 Novelty Rock Classic Hit No. 1 40 Years Ago Today

This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”