The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age novel by J.D. Salinger. It follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a disillusioned teenager navigating the complexities of adolescence and society. The novel explores themes of identity, alienation, and the loss of innocence. With its raw and honest portrayal of teenage angst, The Catcher in the Rye has become a classic of American literature.