If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.

J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield in Chapter 1, opening words of book about his messed-up childhood. We are immediately introduced to a boy who is self-absorbed, isolated from his family, profane and deeply insecure.