J D Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" is a 20th-century classic. Part of the "Routledge Guides to Literature" series, this guide to Salinger's novel offers: an introduction to the text and contexts of "The Catcher in the Rye"; a critical history; a selection of critical essays on this novel; and cross-references between sections of the guide.
'What emerges clearly... is the extent to which the Routledge guides demonstrate the value of historicised readings, without burdening the first-time reader with too great an emphasis on the material reality with which the featured authors engage.' - Rod Mengham, The Times Higher Educational Supplement
'J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is the perfect, concise introduction of this Cold War novel to the serious 21st-century reader.' - Alan Nadel, University of Kentucky
Sarah Graham is a lecturer in American literature at the University of Leicester. She is particularly interested in 20th century American novels and poetry, especially in relation to sexuality, gender and trauma theory.