Robb is also young, and unrefined, and a good learner in the books. And Catelyn never directly controls him, but only guides him with prompts and hints, and since you're bringing things from later books into the discussion I'll add that he then breaks free of even that minor influence, so he most certainly has a mind of his own.

Mainly I dislike tv show Robb because of his scene with the Lannister spy, that he let go in a stereotypical, "I have a plan so I don't care what the spy reports, because he's playing right into my hands! Ha-ha-ha-ha!" sort of way. While the Robb in the books was actually much more believable as a character and more capable as well, except for the one mistake he made, at a time of extreme grief.