The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age novel by J.D. Salinger. It is narrated by Holden Caulfield, a disillusioned teenager who reflects on his experiences and struggles with identity, alienation, and the phoniness of the adult world. The book has become a classic in American literature, known for its honest portrayal of teenage angst and its exploration of themes such as innocence, loss, and the search for authenticity.