The catcher in the rye is jd salingers 1951 novel of post war alienation told by angst ridden teen holden caulfield controversial at the time of publication for its frank language it was an instant best seller and remains beloved by both teens and adults read a character analysis of holden plot summary and important quotes. The catcher in the rye the catcher in the rye is set around the 1950s and is narrated by a young man named holden caulfield holden is not specific about his location while hes telling the story but he makes it clear that he is undergoing treatment in a mental hospital or sanatorium. The catcher in the rye summary and study guide thanks for exploring this supersummary study guide of the catcher in the rye by j d salinger a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes supersummary offers high quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes characters quotes and essay topics. The catcher in the rye summary holden caulfield the narrator of the catcher in the rye begins with an authoritative statement that he does not intend the novel to serve as his life story currently in psychiatric care this teenager recalls what happened to him last christmas this story forms the basis for his narrative