in the rye where I was caught

The Catcher in the Rye is a 1951 novel by a reclusive author, J. D. Salinger. It’s a touching tale of teen angst and alienation, and it follows troubled anti-hero Holden Caufield as he wanders around New York after getting kicked out of boarding school. Holden Caufield has even become a culture, an icon for teenage rebellion and defiance. A true classic, this novel was among the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005 as chosen by Time, and named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. It has been frequently challenged in the United States for its liberal use of profanity and portrayal of sexuality and teenage angst.

I feel sorry as hell that I ain’t gonna tell you what the title of the novel is supposed to mean. I mean that’s just phony right??

I read this book when I was 17 I think. Prior to reading it, I didn’t know what it was about. The plain cover of the book and the lack of summary at the back nearly deterred me of reading. I haven’t even heard of it. Just that my cousin recommended to me, stating that it was a must read, one of the most influential book ever written.

The best thing about this book is that every bit of it is very true. Very honest. Pure in a way. Definitely a more mature (of the characters) version of To Kill A Mocking Bird (another all time favourite). It’s a book where all teenagers can relate to.

This book was also featured in the movie Chapter 27 - a true story about the murder on John Lennon outside his house in Manhattan. In the movie, the lead actor who plays murderer Mark David Chapman thinks his story was predicted in the book and he is Haulden Caulfield.

Someone else who also 'lived' the character, an author by the name of Fredrik Colting who wrote the apparent sequel (under the pseudonym J. D. California) - "60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye" is seen as an updated version of "Catcher". The book, which has already been published in London, has a 76-year-old man named Mr. C meandering about New York after escaping a retirement home. However, at this moment, Manhattan Court are considering arguments if the book should be released in the U.S., as Salinger claims it could ruin his copyright. It all depends if the book is original enough to be published as "fair use" of copyrighted work.

The 90-year-old Salinger, a notorious recluse who was raised in New York City, has been extremely protective of his creation over the years, even refusing a request by director Steven Spielberg to adapt "The Catcher in the Rye" to film.

This is one book where I beg you to read, whether you are a teen or not.