Question: Who wrote the book The Catcher in the Rye?
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J.D. Salinger.
The Catcher in the Rye, a novel that has become a cornerstone of American literature, was written by J.D. Salinger. Published in 1951, it’s a deeply influential work known for its theme of teenage angst and rebellion.
Jerome David Salinger was born in New York City in 1919 and began writing short stories while in secondary school. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and continued to write whenever possible. After the war, Salinger returned to his writing career, publishing several short stories in periodicals before The Catcher in the Rye was published.
The novel presents a few days in the life of Holden Caulfield, a seventeen-year-old protagonist who, after being expelled from prep school, experiences a series of misadventures in New York City. The narrative is notable for its honest, colloquial style and the candid portrayal of Holden’s inner life, including his confusion, cynicism, and alienation.
Despite its initial mixed reviews, The Catcher in the Rye quickly became a bestseller and has since become a classic of American literature. Its themes of teenage frustration, critique of superficiality in society, and the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood continue to resonate with readers worldwide.
Salinger, who notoriously valued his privacy, published his last original work in 1965 and gave his last interview in 1980. He passed away in 2010, leaving behind a powerful and enduring literary legacy.
