Rating: 
Summary: A Classic Success
Review: "My military experience was beneficial and enjoyable, almost entirely. Even those last missions when I was scared stiff became a rich experience because they were suspense. It was not boring."(Joseph Heller) Heller's experience is part of what enriched Catch-22's exceptional portrayal of World War II and Yossarian. Catch-22 was meant as a classic from the time it was published. Describing the corruption of society through the main character's, Yossarian's, experience in World War II. The in-depth analysis of peoples' view of gain for only themselves made Catch-22 destined for success from the very beginning.
The story is that of a bomber pilot, Yossarian, who endures the hardships of fighting the war. He must deal with the superior offices constantly raising the required number of missions each man must fly to be sent home whenever he is close to release. He must also live with the men in his squadron dying left and right which is his greatest let-down.
But, finally he has a chance to escape. After flying 71 missions and seeing all his friends die in combat he refuses to fly. This invokes a deal from his commanding officers since he is causing such a problem among the rest of the men fighting. All he must do is like his commanding officers and he can be sent home a hero. Yossarian agrees to this but deep down he disapproves. As he walks off though he is stabbed and is brought to the hospital where he discovers his only surviving friend is in Sweden. He then sets his mind to leave his troubles and find his friend, Orr, in Sweden.
Catch-22 is a terrific work for how it unmasks the corruption of society. Constantly, Yossarian notices the people around him seeking their own personal gain. Colonel Cathcart, raises the number of missions, endangering and enraging his own men, just to make his squadron look good. Milo, the mess hall officer, is always making deals on the black market and even goes to the length of bombing his own men to make some money. At the conclusion of the book, when Major Danby cried, "Jump!'' Yossarian jumped. Nately's whore was hiding just outside the door. The knife came down, missing him by inches, and he took off."(463) When Yossarian jumped he obeyed his instincts which showed a change in his attitude toward the world in the rest of the book.
This book is excellent for the revealing of peoples' intentions. The numerous encounters with corruption Yossarian experienced made this reviewer think how many of those similar situations exist today. After reading Catch-22 it is a wonder how this society does not fall apart though the vivid explanations the book puts out for the readers. Now, however, this reader has gained a greater appreciation for analyzing the situations he comes across.
Rating: 
Summary: You'd Be Crazy Not to Read Catch 22
Review: A person's enjoyment of "Catch 22" might depend on their current views of the war. Regardless of what those feelings may be, they will most likely be strengthened after reading this book. It is sometimes considered an anti-war book, but anyone who disagrees with that would probably consider it honest and comical. The main character Yossarian is not fond of war. He learns early on that the real "catch" is that a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to participate in the missions, not if he requests to leave. Anyone who is smart enough to request to go home proves their sanity. Yossarian spends the entire novel trying to think of ways to be relieved of his duties. He just barely escapes a couple of opportunities to be sent home, which only adds to the several elements of humor, satire and irony.
I read "Catch 22" for a high school assignment, expecting it to be another serious and dramatic book similar to the majority of the works I have read throughout high school. It is basically the opposite. I wish it had be required reading because it introduces elements of humor and irony that many students have not been introduced to in works of literary merit. It evokes many questions, sometimes deep and philosophical, sometimes trivial, of the true meanings of life and war. I would've loved to have many class discussions about this book because each student would have different views and opinions to share.
While I don't consider it the best book ever, it certainly is enjoyable. Although elements of war really don't interest me, probably due to current events, I was entertained by the humor, irony and sarcasm, which helped to make many of the character, especially Yossarian, extremely relatable.
Rating: 
Summary: At times, strikingly funny
Review: For me, there is something a bit too unlinear about this novel: it seems a compilation of character sketches interpersed with a general "feel" for the military at the time. The pros are: character sketches detailed and funny; and an occasional paragraph of great comedic brilliance, which are SO wonderful that one keeps reading hopeful for the next one. The general anti-military feel for the novel was probably more attuned to the times in which it was written, we having seen in our times how necessary it is to have a military, and the noble sacrifices of military people. On the con side: the dialogue is unlikely in many places; the names of the characters very unlikely (as though pulled out of the too-creative hat); and a style that skims along a little breathlessly, as though punctuation amounted to grammatical error rather - what it really is - the finest point of style. And yet on the whole it is that wonderful, cynical American sense of humor that pulls it all off, just as it does for other American novels, such as Iacovelli's Lily Snow, Cheever's Falconer, and Henry Miller's naughty and otherwise sterile novels.
Rating:
Summary: There is only one Catch
Review: Catch-22 for me, before reading it, held a mythic position amongst books. This mainly stems from the fact that my mom gave up reading it at about page 50. From that point on I was determined to read it, to get through it, and to my astonishment, that was not too hard a task. Catch-22 is an hilarious book, one of the most funny books I have ever read, but it goes far beyond that. While reading the novel, the most wide range of emotions will be felt by the reader. You'll laugh at the escapades of Yossarian and his squadron with prostitutes in Rome. You'll fell heartfelt sadness for the dead man in Yossarian's tent, who never even got the chance to unpack his bags, as well as for the memory of Snowden, just a boy who died too young. At times you may be surpirised and confused, but that's the plan. A novel that many consider to be some of the best writing ever done by an American, it does not disappoint. Set at the tail end of World War II, but going beyond pure criticism of the war, Catch-22 will make you laugh, and then cause you to think seriously at what you're laughing about. If your asking yourself whether or not to read Catch-22, condsider what the author himself said about it. When told by a reporter that he had not written anything better than Catch-22, Heller replied simply "Who has?"
Rating:
Summary: A Great American Novel of Merit
Review: In modern day, relatively few people read books which are written by contemporary authors, never mind authors from fifty years ago , but some books just stand out even to people who only have a minor knowledge of classic American literature. Joseph Heller's Catch-22 is one such novel. Set toward the end of World War II, the book follows a very vague plot line with a strange way of representing time but uses abundant, rich, and sometimes a little dark humor to weave an enthralling tale about the bombardier Yossarian and his struggle against reality, particularly the fact that he has to fly in a plane (with people whom he has never even met before shooting at him) just because he is told to.
The book is well written and it draws you (the reader) in by really relating you to the myriad characters and their unique quirks. There is little historical accuracy in this book and some things are so wrong that its downright funny, for example Milo Minderbinder's mess hall syndicate (M&M) which, run by a lowly mess officer, trades with countries and organizations all over the world (including Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia) turning a prophet using confusing tangles of twisted logic and the magic slogan "everyone has a share." The humor is by far the book's most prominent strength but the writing is a close second. The astoundingly detailed and descriptive prose makes the funny parts all the more zany and the heavy, semi-depressing parts so vivid and powerful that they are extremely moving at times. This combined with Heller's sharp wit and snappy 50's slang make this book an immensely entertaining read and certainly an example of a great American novel of merit.
Rating:
Summary: Theres Always a Catch
Review: The novel Catch-22 deals with the soldiers stationed on a small island just off the coast of Italy during World War II. The main plot is focused around the story of Yossarian, one of the many soldiers on the island. Yossarian is different from many of the men stationed there as he takes the war personally and gets annoyed that he has to be there, facing danger everyday. He continually tries to find ways to get out of the war and go home, but every plan he comes up with always has a catch, catch-22. This catch ruins all his plans and makes them seem illogical. Throughout the novel Yossarian has to fight against everyone to gain back his life and get what he wants.
I enjoyed this novel because of the serious yet satirical tone that is used to convey the major theme. Heller used humor to make the book less controversial and to entertain the reader, while trying to make a statement. He also dealt with a very serious subject matter, the topic of war, which everyone has differing views on. He discusses the fighting and death that occurs in any war and is very graphic in his descriptions of what happens, but through being straightforward and blunt, Heller makes a stronger statement about war and its brutality. The descriptions affected me and my heart went out to all the soldiers involved in the war. Then, when Heller brought the humor back in I began to laugh out loud at the experiences he discussed. I truly enjoyed the way Heller wrote the novel and found that the mix of humor with the serious topic of war worked well to convey his message and made the novel truly original.
The novel does not only discuss war and cannot just be considered an anti-war novel. The novel can relate to any aspect of human life and make sense in almost any situation, making it a universal novel. The issues that Catch-22 deals with are issues and emotions every person has confronted at one time or another, such as anger, loss, pain, determination and selfishness. All the characters have to overcome these emotions if they want to survive the war and make it in the world.
I found Catch-22 to be an excellent novel about gaining your own freedom and becoming your own person and enjoyed the fact that it used such a controversial and universal topic as war to convey that message.
A great read for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: The best book ever
Review: As a senior in Mercy High School, I have been forced to read many a novel. When I first chose to read this novel I dreaded that I would be preached to on the glory or horror of war throughout my reading. After completing this novel, I can honestly say that Catch-22 is the best novel that I have read throughout my high school career. Joseph Heller lets the reader decide whether war is good or bad and never forces his opinion on the reader. The characters act with human emotions and their reactions are as any real person's would be. Although the stories tend to bounce from one to another, in the end they come together and form a complete story. I was unable to put this book down and wholeheartedly recommend it. This is one book that you will not regret reading.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars Are Not Enough
Review: Just wanted to vote for this as best novel of the second half of the twentirth century.
Rating:
Summary: Tough book to read- well worth the effort!
Review: this is a really difficult book to truly follow- however with much effort, and time, the characters, especially Yossarian, are brought to life and compassionate! I attempted to read this about 10 years ago, and put it down early. Now, after finally completing Atlas Shrugged (another tough read that took me two tries), picked it up again, read it through and enjoyed the predicament that poor Yossarian finds himself in (how to get out of flying that next bombing run). One recommendation- see the movie of the same name after reading the book, so that you can appreciate the effort that went into making a movie of it... Also, anyone who says ""catch 22" saw the movie it was great" who didn't read the book can have no clue about the true meaning of Heller's classic!
Rating:
Summary: More than a statement about war
Review: I'm hesitant to call this book an anti-war novel. I think that's too simple of a generalization for a novel that deserves a much more in-depth look. For me, Catch-22 in about the human condition which leads us to experience fear, selfishness, anger, anguish, loneliness, pain, and every other imaginable emotion. I think the greatest thing about this novel is that Heller, in about 90% of the novel, seems unconcerned with passing judgement and instead chooses to give us the raw reality of these characters and lets the rest be decided by the reader.Heller creates a chaotic athmosphere filled by exotic characters that are never censored. The narrative is consistently odd but it never seems to stray too far from its purpose, or plot. The first three quarters of the book are hillarious, followed by a somber, pensative tone completely brutal and unforgiving. You don't realize how quickly it goes from a satirical, cynical place to a completely harsh reality. The transition is amazing and the result a complete shock to the reader. This is a wonderful piece of literature. Heller lets his characters speak for themselves and he lets their actions create the moral statements of the novel. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. This is a great book regarldess of your view on war.
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