The Catcher in The Rye

Could someone please tell me about Catcher in the Rye. I'm British, and I feel that I am either an utter dullwit unable to see a shining gem in front of me, or all of American culture is completely inaccessible to me.

What I took away from this book was: A guy is intelligent but an utter slacker, he gets kicked out school. He spends a few days in New York, then he stays with his favourite teacher who may (or may not) attempt to Paedophile him.

Then he goes chats with his sister and then it ends.

So, I am left wondering what life-lessons I skimmed passed in this incredibly popular book. From what I read, if this is the Great American Novel, then the American Dream must be that one where you get chased around your bedroom by your lamp.

There's a "sequel" by some other guy. It's unauthorised, and publishers want to publish it, but guess who's fighting tooth and nail to preserve his claim to his character?

Quite rightly, in my opinion. Sure, Catcher connects with millions, and sure, it has become "their" book. But if they want to write their own stories of the characters, that's fan-fiction. Not to be published, and not to be profited from.