The first time I read Catcher, I was the same age as Holden. I was dealing with too little sleep, too much musical practice, and having a gland infection so bad I couldn't produce any sound and talked to all my teachers through a whiteboard. I was in no mood to listen to some spoiled brat complain for 300 or so pages. Four and a half years later, I still hate Holden but I think I understand him better. He's still a phony sonuvabitch though.