THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

Written in 1951 by J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye is considered one of the best English-language novels written in the 20th century. The story is popular among adolescent readers for its themes of teenage confusion, angst, sexuality, alienation, and rebellion.

The Catcher in the Rye stars protagonist and antihero, Holden Caulfield, and his experiences in New York City following his expulsion from his college prep school. In the book, Holden shares encounters he has had with students and faculty whom he criticizes as being superficial, or, as he says, "phony." After being expelled (for poor grades), Holden takes a train to New York where he spends three days, characterized largely by drunkenness and loneliness.

The book also features Holden’s younger sister Phoebe, and the fantasy Holden shares with her is the basis for the book’s title: Holden pictures himself as the guardian of children running and playing in a rye field on the edge of a cliff. His job is to catch the children if they wander close to the brink; to be a "catcher in the rye.”

The book is known for its immense amount of profanity and its portrayal of sexuality and teenage angst. Because of this, controversy has followed the book since it was published: In 1960 a teacher was fired for assigning the novel in class; Between 1961 and 1982, The Catcher in the Rye was the most censored book in high schools and libraries in the United States.

Around 250,000 copies are sold each year, with total sales of more than sixty-five million.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catcher_in_the_Rye

The original cover of The Cather in the Rye.

Author J.D. Salinger. The success of The Catcher in the Rye led to public attention and scrutiny leading Salinger to become a reclusive, publishing new work less frequently. His last published work appeared in The New Yorker on June 19, 1965. Salinger died of natural causes in January 2010.

Additional links about this topic:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/books/29salinger.html

http://www.allreaders.com/Topics/info_774.asp

http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/catcher2.html

http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/catcher.htm

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Catcher-in-the-Rye/J-D-Salinger/e/9780316769488