I remember reading this book as a must-read classic in American literature. There was a sort of candid and realistic feel to this book. The way that the author used language was very contemporary and conversational and the easy prose still read cool and socially acceptable even today. The 50's was a time of teen angst and revolution when American teens moved to the suburbs and began to live life through their cars. Car culture also encourage rebellion against their parents, the rebel without a cause, James Dean and others led the pack of teens carving out a new American identity. This book reminded me of ever confused and misguided teen in American prep-schools even in recent times, the character is real and easy to relate to.