I honestly believe that everyone should read this book when a teenager, and also as an adult, to mark the changes in your own mind and convictions. I loved this book then, as I do now, but for very different reasons. Now, I read it for the beauty of the language. Then, I read it for the joy of falling into a roaring New York, falling into the harsh idealism that almost reaches the intensity of a Russian novelist. Now, I read it for the tragedy; the casual cruelty and stolid absolutism of those who believe in moral dissolution. 
 Fantastic read, regardless. Now to see the movie. :)