American Classic: The Catcher In The Rye
JD Salinger wrote The Catcher In The Rye in 1951. It was originally published for adults but its themes of teenage angst and alienation saw it gain a new audience with adolescent readers. Written in a subjective style from the point of view of its protagonist and antihero Holden Caulfield, following his exact thought process. Holden Caulfield has since become an icon for teenage rebellion. Between 1961 and 1982, The Catcher in the Rye was the most censored book in high schools and libraries in the United States. But it was also the second most taught book in American schools. In 2005, the novel was included on Time Magazine's list of the 100 best English language novels written since 1923.
- Robert Thompson
- Author, leading commentator on popular culture; heads the Bleier Centre for Television and Popular Culture, Syracuse University, New York.
- Mary Delahunty
- Australian writer, broadcaster, journalist and commentator
- Stella McInnes
- 15-year-old Melbourne teenager
- Linda Lopresti, international editor
- Michael Cathcart