The Catcher in the Rye written by the enigmatic recluse J.D. Salinger was first published in serial form in the New Yorker magazine in 1945–1946, then as a novel in 1951.
Narrated from the point of view of the young Holden Caulfield, the novel was originally intended for adults, but is often read by adolescents for its themes of angst and alienation, and as a critique on superficiality in society.
Translated widely, the novel has sold more than 65 million copies worldwide.
Source: Wikipedia
Although Salinger had penciled out the Caulfield character prior to his joining the Army, I wonder how his experiences at the Battle of the Bulge shaped the final novel. Holden’s inability to adjust to society, make friends and deep alienation balance out the dark humor the author injects into the plot.
I enjoyed my first reading as a young man far more than the second.
https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/02/salinger-201102