<P> The Catcher in the Rye is a story by J.D. Salinger, partially published in serial form in 1945--1946 and as a novel in 1951 . A classic novel originally published for adults, it has since become popular with adolescent readers for its themes of teenage angst and alienation . It has been translated into almost all of the world's major languages . Around 1 million copies are sold each year, with total sales of more than 65 million books . The novel's protagonist Holden Caulfield has become an icon for teenage rebellion . The novel also deals with complex issues of innocence, identity, belonging, loss, and connection . </P> <P> The novel was included on Time's 2005 list of the 100 best English - language novels written since 1923, and it was named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English - language novels of the 20th century . In 2003, it was listed at #15 on the BBC's survey The Big Read . </P> <P> Holden Caulfield, a teenager, is living in an unspecified institution in Southern California near Hollywood in 1951 . Caulfield intends to live with his brother D.B, an author and World War II veteran whom Holden is angered at for becoming a screenwriter, one month after his discharge . As he waits, Holden recalls the events of the previous Christmas . </P> <P> Holden begins his story at Pencey Preparatory Academy, an exclusive boarding school in Hagerstown, Pennsylvania, on the Saturday afternoon of the traditional football game with a rival school . Holden has been expelled from Pencey due to poor work and is not to return after Christmas break, which begins the following Wednesday . He plans to return home on that day so that he will not be present when his parents receive notice of his expulsion . After forfeiting a fencing match in New York by forgetting the equipment aboard the subway, he is invited to the home of his history teacher, Mr. Spencer . Spencer is a well - meaning but long - winded old man . Spencer greets him and offers him advice, but embarrasses Holden by further criticizing Holden's work in his subject in a rude manner . </P>

Where did the catcher in the rye take place