What makes The Catcher in the Rye so good?

I read it only because it was required when I was in high school. Honestly? I thought it was stupid and I wanted to smack Holden behind his head for being such a self-centered angsty whiner.

I also read that damned book, ONLY because other people claimed it was a literary work not to be missed, something special. I believe it was required reading for the 10th grade in public school, while I was in private school and reading Chaim Potok's "The Chosen" and "The Promise." (Now, those books were true literary gems.)

I'm not a particularly dense or dim-witted person. But, "The Catcher in the Rye" was by far the WORST book I've ever read in my entire life.

Catcher in the Rye is a story about a misunderstood child who also misunderstands himself. The book is an unusual insight into a teenage boy's mind and his naive actions in trying to understand himself. It is remarkably well written, though, it is not for everyone... If you are looking for a good novel may I suggest a book called "Atlas Shrugged" - by Ayn Rand...

I don't like the book at all. I found it very boring. It is really a book more for boys, anyway. I'm not sure why it is thought of so highly.

It does one of the best jobs of any book in tapping into teenage angst.

i honestly didnt like it that much either. i think the writing is good, and the depth of the assages was pretty great, but the story bored me.

nothing. it's a god-awful book