[ek_hornbeck]

Catcher in the Rye isn't just about a pretentious, angtsy teenager, it's written for pretentious, angtsy teenagers. It's one of those books that many people think is great when they read it as teens, but then outgrow it just like they (hopefully) outgrow Holden Caulfield-like behaviors and attitudes.

Content aside, I also don't find Salinger to be a great stylist.

[Red Badger]

“Catcher in the Rye” is the most horrid book ever used to kill a tree!...................

[Borges]

Salinger clearly didn’t like the character. Read his short stories. He was a very precise stylist.