h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You know it's about PTSD, right?

Salinger was back from WWII. All the young men were missing. None of the phoneys were talking about it.

"Where do the ducks go in winter?"

I believe you're absolutely right.

Holden's preoccupation, if not obsession, with "phonies", was evidence of just that, as was the fact that he was obsessed with convincing himself that he was proud of his draft-dodging brother with no name, DB.

His constant use of the expression "she (he) kills me" is a repeated reminder that we're dealing with more than simple teen angst, anomie, and whingeing. The book is ultimately about survivor's guilt, from what I can see. (Or sum up in three or four sentences.)

Survivor guilt...but also a justifiable disappointement that it turned out that there was nobody to catch him, coming through the rye. Now its his job to do that for his sister, and he's not sure he's up to it.

Hmm. A fresh thought. He's had to take on the responsibility for looking after himself, too. 'Holden Vitamin Caulfield'. And he even messes that up - goes and gets thumped by a pimp.

And over a matter of principle, at that!