What does Holden promise to tell the reader?

Holden Caulfield, the narrator of J.D. Salinger's *The Catcher in the Rye*, promises the reader he will tell them about his "phony" experiences at Pencey Prep and the subsequent events that unfold.

He says:

> "I'm not going to tell you my whole life story, though. Just the part about the time I went to see my brother in New York."

This is a crucial starting point for the novel. Holden's intention is to reveal his perspective on the "phoniness" of the adult world, his longing for authenticity, and the events leading up to his breakdown and hospitalization.