What’s your interpretation of Holden’s character in The Catcher in the Rye?

I read it a couple years ago while I’m college and I really resonated with Holden because I was very similar to him while in high school. Personally I think it’s an amazing portrayal of a depressed and naive teenager who thinks they know more than they do, but also craves human affection and relationships but just doesn’t know how to do that in an appropriate way.

A lot of people really dislike the book and Holden as a character though because they believe he is just a brat and selfish, and that it’s not actually a great portrayal of a mentally ill teen.

So my question is: what do you guys think? Did you interpret him in one of the above ways or do you have a completely different interpretation and why?

by Professor_squirrelz