I too am beyond 30 but shy of 40.... for now. I'm not sure if there are gender issues involved, but I do think that this novel resonated with me as a kid because of the whole, "older people are all phony" aspect. If I read the book now, would that ring less true? Perhaps it would. I remember reading that the book was a favorite of John Lennon's assassin, Mark David Chapman to the extent that he wanted to legally change his name to Holden Caufield. He had thought Lennon was "selling out" and becoming "phony" etc. Apparently John Hinkley, the guy that shot Reagan was also a fan. I don't recall too much detail about the novel as it's been over 20 years since I read it. I recall him being at a turning point in life where he is expected to be acting more "adult" but he still very much feels like a kid. He has a little sister in the book which he seems to really love and he wants her to remain a "kid" very much. I think if I read it now, I would think he was a little shit. I guess I'm a sellout now.