7 Books Like Catcher in the Rye 

Chabon is an expert at exploring inner turmoil and growing pains, an ability that is reminiscent of—if still distinct from–Salinger’s own. The eleven stories in this collection are fascinating character studies of ex-lovers, has-beens, and other wayward souls who pine for love and fulfillment. But it’s Nathan Shapiro, the young hero featured in multiple tales, whose struggle with puberty and his parents’ divorce feels very Holden.

Related: 12 Michael Chabon Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down 

A darkly humorous novel, Oe’s A Personal Matter stars an intellectual protagonist who’s overcome by the birth of his child. Bird’s marriage is already in trouble, but the added stress of his newborn’s poor health sends him on a reality-escaping bender. 

Bird isn’t the most likable character, but his toxic coping mechanisms and road to acceptance will strike a chord with fans of The Catcher in the Rye. Kenzaburo Oe is a Nobel Prize-winning author, and a master of writing with “maturity and moral awareness” (Christian Science Monitor).

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While very different in style from Catcher in the Rye, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man also centers around a boy’s furious obsession with innocence and morality. His coming-of-age journey is particularly colored by his surroundings—early 20th-century Ireland, and its strict Catholic conventions. The novel is a fictionalized account of Joyce’s own childhood and complicated relationship with religion.

At first glance, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn might not seem like The Catcher in the Rye, but there’s quite a bit of connection between them. Most notably, Twain and Salinger truly embody the voices of their young protagonists, even when those voices are unreliable or grating. Huck and Holden are also both dissatisfied with their lives—a dissatisfaction they try to rectify by wandering—and are the angsty teens of their respective eras.

Set at a New England prep school during World War II, Knowles’ characters face a devastating loss of innocence: Gene, an introverted Southern boy, begins to resent his larger-than-life pal, Phineas, when their friendship interferes with his studies. One tragic summer night changes the course of their relationship forever, creating a web of betrayal, guilt, and fear that carries over into the ensuring years. Recently voted one of America's favorite books, A Separate Peace has echoes of Donna Tartt's The Secret History and, of course, Salinger's classic coming-of-age tale.

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Now that John Grady's father has fallen into alcoholism and his mother has sold their home, he realizes he can rely only upon himself. Accompanied by his best friend, Lacey, John sets out for Mexico in search of work—a transformative trek full of adventure, danger, and forbidden romance. The landscapes of Texas and Mexico replace Rye's New York setting, though All the Pretty Horses still tackles similar themes of responsibility, loneliness, growing up, and the desire for escape.

The reclusive J.D. Salinger didn't just write The Catcher in the Rye—he's also the author of a small handful of other books and short stories. This collection features some thematic overlaps with his most iconic novel, but it's also a great first step towards exploring the rest of Salinger's oeuvre. One highlight is “A Perfect Day for Bananafish,” which introduces readers to the characters found in Franny and Zooey. 

Related: Looking Back: Joyce Maynard on He Career-Launching Essay and Relationship with J.D. Salinger