The Catcher in the Rye is an exemplary book about the difficulties of growing up. Moving on in life is never easy, and the turmoils of adolescence do nothing to ease this burden. Everyone is glad to move on from that awkward, hormone-controlled phase of their lives. This is what makes The Catcher in the Rye so relatable: everyone has a hard time during that part of their lives. Though the novel refers to some specific historical constructs, this book is timeless and has a universal appeal to kids and adults alike.
Why is growing up so hard? I think it's because of all the rapid changes everyone experiences. Life seems to accelerate tenfold when stepping up from middle school to high school. Everyone's growing at a rapid pace, mentally and physically. This is emotionally taxing, to say the least. Lots of people are pushed to the breaking point, while others rise to the challenge. Eventually, though, most people make it through relatively unscathed.
The Catcher in the Rye offers an interesting perspective into adolescence. Holden obviously acutely feels the drive to grow up and be an adult, much as every other person begins to crave freedom and privilege during adolescence. Though there exist much worse teenage experiences, many people don't have nearly as hard of a time as Holden. In either camp, people can relate to Holden. He's so sensitive and likable, the reader can't help but root for him. To truly understand this book, the reader must empathize with Holden.
Every teenager should read The Catcher in the Rye. It can be used as a field guide explaining what not to do, but many positive messages can be obtained from it as well. I can't imagine that adults can fully appreciate this book to the degree that someone going through the process of growing up can.
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