I agree, however, I didn't read Catcher in the Rye until about 7 or 8 years ago and it's really stuck with me. I say it's my favorite book and I really need to read it again. It has a lot deeper meaning than some rich spoiled kid. He's obviously gone through a whole lot of trauma and can't come to grips with it in his own mind so he just goes into a pattern of self destruction / loathing.