"Catcher in the Rye" is a novel written by J.D. Salinger, published in 1951. The story follows a young man named Holden Caulfield, who has just been expelled from his prep school. As he wanders around New York City, he grapples with feelings of alienation, loss, and the challenges of growing up. Throughout the book, Holden expresses his disdain for the "phoniness" of the adult world and seeks genuine connections. He dreams of becoming the "catcher in the rye," a protector of children, symbolizing his desire to preserve innocence in a complex and often harsh reality.