Holden is like a typical adolescent, thinks he knows everything and he is quick to judge, and he has an opinion on everything. Though you would think that you wouldn't care for his character, there is something about him that appeals to the reader. He lies but he is not perceived as a bad person. He uses vulgar language and he has a pet peeve for phonies, but what is strange is that his compulsive lying makes him seem like a phony himself. However although he lies a lot, he never does it to appear more than he is to empress others.
In the long run he doesn't mean to hurt or trouble anybody. There is only one person who can really get through to him and that is Phoebe, his younger sister. It almost seems that she can see right through him, but that is because they have such a close relationship and he really cares what she thinks. She is also a very bright girl. He ends up going to New York City and chills out for two days. All he really thinks about is Phoebe and another girl that he has a crush on. One thing that he does mention a lot is that he never understands sex ( pg. 63 ) . Though he speaks as if he is experienced in that area but he is actually a virgin. (Pg. 92). During this time in New York City he gets piss drunk which is strange because he is a regular drinker and smoker.
This book has a very interesting plot. Although the climax is not
great, the book overall is a great choice for a reader seeking complex
characters. It is sad, story of a man trying to find a reason for life.