Catch-22

Rating:
Summary: WAR IS FUNNY
Review: To be honest with all you gentle readers, I don't much admire War novels, nor do I stand by the title of my review. Generally, I believe War is truly Hell.

But last Winter, in the grips of a bout of quasi-depression-for-teens following a move to the most FLAT province in Canada, I truly thought I was in Hell. An e-mail friend suggested Catch-22 to use up edgy cabin-fever time. Now, let it be known that my attention span for most novels dwindles quickly, especially if the book is slow to pick up. While significantly slower to get 'into' than most of the writing I chase, Catch-22 sucked me in, like Alice down the rabbit hole. It is sharply funny, engaging, and chock full of delightful characters. The main character is a thinker; a young man disheartened by war and his own mortality. His name is Yossarian, and since reading this novel, he has stood out in my mind as being one of the most...sculpted... characters in the history of literature.

Put simply, this book is a satire about World War 2. Coming from a kid sickened by the very idea of war, I can say that this book is worth whatever bills you have to fork over for it. It's not about war, per se, but more about the human condition. In addition, it made me laugh a few times, something that only a few other works of fiction have ever been successful in accomplishing. I finished this book feeling oddly... renewed. If you're looking for something 'new' (or, so old it's new) and engaging, I heartily recommend 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller.

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Cutting-Edge
Review: I must say that I've heard a lot of things about CATCH-22 but upon reading it I was at first stupefied, then amazed. It's really "out there." Satiric, yes, but in an over-the-top way -- almost like Monty Python's Flying Circus: satire that often bleeds into absurdity, with plenty of word-play, and, often, flat-out slapstick. Upon reading it I was reminded of another recent devastatingly funny satire, [e-mail] (a medicated memoir) by Tom Grimes, which was featured as an Amazon quick-pick. As I was reading CATCH-22, I thought, My God, this is one book that merits a second reading! It's almost too much to take in the first reading. The novel is also terribly witty; think of DUCK'S SOUP, featuring the Marx Brothers and DR. STRANGELOVE by Stanley Kubrick. This is definitely a MUST-READ. I promise you will laugh and will be provoked to think about the absurdity not only of war, but life!

Rating:
Summary: Exhausting but Excellent
Review: While this book is draining, emotionally, mentally, and even somewhat physically, it certainly deserves is position as one of the ten greatest novels of all time. This cleverly written work of fiction is filled with masterfully utilized irony, paradox, humor, and suspense. It is a shocking novel that makes you chuckle, but with regret. Yossarian is one of the most unforgettable protagonists, the ultimate anti-hero. In addition, the novel is lush with characters crafted to make you laugh, cry, gasp, or pound your fist in rage. I once read another review of this novel in which the reviewer said the novel was "frustrating." I agree, to an extent. It is frustrating because Yossarian is constantly trying to get himself out of a horrible situation, but he keeps getting sucked back in and trapped (hence Catch-22). If you are looking for an easy read, this is not it. But if you are searching for a fun, hilarious ride of a book, you've made a wise decision.

Rating:
Summary: Illogical logic! Sane craziness! And Yossarian lives on...
Review: This dark comedy of World War Two takes place on the small island of Pianosa, off the coast of Italy. The main character, Yossarian, is an American bombardier, and like his squadron, spends much of his time either flying dangerous bombing runs over northern Italy, sleeping off his exuberances in Rome, or going on some hilarious comical escapade through which Heller is able to satirize the American military bureaucracy.

At first glance (or the first reading), this novel appears to be a random collection of character sketches, loosely arranged around Yossarian and containing only confusingly humorous conversational drivel. But on the second reading, everything makes sense and it is possible to see how the comic absurdity changes from light and fun at the beginning into a dark and melancholy satire by the end of the novel.

Joseph Heller first published this novel in 1961, and since then the phrase "Catch-22" has entered into the English language as a "paradoxical problem or situation." In this book, Catch-22 is an obscure military regulation that allows for an illogical and absurd system to exist.

Completely illogical logic and embarrassingly simple complexity await the individual who undertakes the reading of this excellent novel, which has become both an amusing comedy and a pensive tragedy at the same time.

Bottom line? Catch-22 is an excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever written.
Review: It's difficult to write anything meaningfully different about Catch-22 that hasn't already been written. Rather than attempt that, I'll offer my personal experience with this book. I first read it as a teenager, in the mid-1970s. I'd read MASH (Hooker) before reading Catch-22 and was much more impressed with that book (and television series) than I was with Heller's work. Catch-22, I thought, was a part of the same genre: smart-ass anti-war books. It was funny, but bogged down in places and at times simply bored me - the whole bit with Milo Minderbinder, for example. And Major Major was a one-note gag that I quickly dismissed. To be honest, the part of the book that stuck with me throughout the years was Yossarian's having written, "I yearn for you tragically. A.T. Tappman, Chaplain, U.S. Army," and the first two lines of the book.

Fast forward to now - 2002: I'm in my early forties and, it is to be hoped, somewhat wiser and more experienced. For no good reason I've decided to re-read the book (I happened upon it in the back of a closet while looking for another book). A few pages in, I couldn't believe how differently I saw the book, the characters and how differently I interpreted Heller's message. After completing the book, I'd discovered that Heller hadn't written an anti-war book, or an anti-Army or anti-government book -- he's written an anti-institution book! The experiences he recorded occur daily in numerous corporations, government bureaucracies, school systems, society -- any setting in which an individual is faced with his anonymity and utter replace-ability in an institution. Major Major, far from being a one-gag joke, is the perfect archetype for the well-meaning mid-level functionary who finds himself powerless to affect change and simply chooses to operate "below the radar," as they say, biding his time and trying to avoid being noticed until he's retired. Milo Minderbinders really do get ahead, and Lieutenant Scheisskopfs really get promoted to the top through no effort of their own!

Yossarian was the main character of the book, but the true hero was Orr, who'd figured everything out and used the system to break free. He left tracks for Yossarian to follow, and, we can hope, Yossarian made it past Nately's whore to freedom as well. And, after all these years, I can understand the first two lines of the book.

A few random musings: One - Having just seen the series finale to The X-Files, I'm struck by the correctness of fit between the two universes. Two - I bought a paperback edition of this book (Dell) in 1979. It is the same book I just finished re-reading, yellowed and somewhat aged, but otherwise in good condition. Quite a contrast to the novel (Time-Warner) I picked up last month that literally falls apart page by page as I read it.

Rating:
Summary: What's the Catch?
Review: With the United States currently in a position of faltering patriotism, Catch 22 was a very difficult book to read. I felt that it transcended time boundaries, and the horror of war that Heller effectively described in World War II could be held applicable to the current situation our country is in. Through humor and circular logic, Heller accurately portrays the concept behind Catch 22 as not just being a military law, but how those with power can justify their actions over the powerless. Each character Heller introduces to the reader is easy to relate to, for each represents a different type of conflict that each individual undergoes in his or her life. Milo Minderbinder's character represents the temptation of big business and profit which still drives and corrupts people to this very day. The chaplain, representing the loss of religious faith when faced with the hard circumstances of life and war, relates to many people in their questioning of a God in the midst of hatred, terrorism, and useless death. Colonel Cathcart, representing corrupt military and governmental bureaucracy, is a portrayal of how many people in life desire to uphold their status and power at the expense of those below them in the social ladder. Lastly there is Yossarian, a character portrayed by Heller to be both crazy and pitiable, is motivated in his actions solely by his longing to survive and his right to life.
What impressed me the most about this book was Heller's complicated writing style which was in itself a tool to portray to the reader the ridiculousness of the whole justification and reason behind the concept of Catch 22. Whereas Heller uses the military law prohibiting bombardiers from avoiding flying combat missions as the actual embodiment of the Catch 22 trap, Heller's haphazard writing style and interaction between characters is a Catch 22 in itself. In this way, Heller makes Catch 22 extend beyond the war to apply to life itself, and the traps that we encounter in our journey to save ourselves amidst tough circumstances.
Heller succeeds tremendously in giving a moving portrayal of the atrocities of war while maintaining a humorous and satirical tone. The reader will go through ups and downs, from laughing at the ridiculous dialogue between characters to being shocked by the useless death of many of the characters due to the inevitable death occurring in war. Though I was confused most of the time through the circular logic Heller portrays throughout the novel to emphasize the trapping quality of Catch 22, at the end of the book I was horrified and moved by how World War II can destroy people's lives.

Rating:
Summary: "It proves you're still alive..."
Review: Catch-22 is not a book America wants to read, especially in her present state of patriotism. One cannot picture Heller's Yossarian sporting a "These Colors Don't Run" T-shirt and waving a flag. Indeed, the opening chapter explicitly refutes any interpretation that suggests Yossarian's actions are rooted in a deep sense of nationalism: an uber-patriotic Texan drives almost all the men out of a hospital ward and back into combat. Catch-22 is a book that challenges the logic of war. It combines wry humor with startlingly affecting anecdotes to force the reader into asking questions. It is the portrait of a man who is dangerously sane, but trapped in the insanity of war by catch-22.
When I started reading Joseph Heller's Catch-22, I had no idea what to expect. I scanned the buzzwords on the back cover..."apocalyptic, bitter, hilarious, monumental, original, subversive, classic." What I found was a moving satire, centered ..., an allegory who manages to retain his humanity. The fact that Heller's Yossarian was indeed so easy to relate to contributed to the book's power. The novel brings you deep into the world of war, as viewed by a soldier. Yossarian's experiences are not entirely realistic, and much of what happens over the course of the novel seems to make no sense at all. In presenting war in such a manner, Heller asks the reader whether the reality of war makes any more sense than does Yossarian's story. Heller says that war itself is a great catch-22, a paradoxical trap that humans walk into time and time again. He questions the logic of the illogical, and asks the reader to try and rationalize the irrational.
Catch-22 is significant because it claims that not only war is a catch-22. The metaphor extends to include life itself. We see that the characters are not merely fighting to survive the war...they are fighting to be immortal. Each has his own way, whether it be by enduring boredom to make time move slower, or by gaining global power through commerce and enterprise. They are all trying to cheat death. Heller's novel reveals many deep and often unpleasant truths, but it does it with humor and style. For this reason, Catch-22 has reached "classic" status and will probably remain a classic for generations to come.
As a book, Catch-22 is flawless. It is moving, witty, and ultimately one of the greatest novels I have ever read. It deserves every one of its five stars. However, to those who are interested in reading it, I warn you to take Heller's work with a grain of salt. Many may find the satire offensive in light of the current global situation. Please do not let current events get in your way. Catch-22 is a wonderful, eye-opening novel; but as with all "subversive" literature, it must be approached with an open mind.

Rating:
Summary: the ultimate anti-war novel
Review: The words I used to describe Catch-22 are bleak, black, and absurd. Heller's brand of absurdist humor creates some of the most poignant moments in literature and some of the most hilarious (there are many, many laugh out loud places here). It is basically the story of Yossarian, a bomber, in the closing months of World War II. He can't understand why thousands of people he hasn't met yet are trying to kill him. And it goes from there. Loaded with absurdist humor. It does turn darker towards the end. This is a very densely packed book, every page loaded with information. It's not a book you can lose concentration while reading. But it is well worth the time and energy it takes to read it. Definitely one of the best books ever written.

Rating:
Summary: The best ever
Review: This book has no equal. But what makes it really charged is that somehow, in today's society, with all that's going on in the world, the novel is even more powerful. This is the true definition of a classic--something that stands the test of time and actually has merit long after it was written. As if this weren't enough, throw in excellent writing, a stellar plot, and characters that are so real you'll swear they're in the same room as you, and you've got a hit. No, this book isn't "literary" like Steinbeck's EAST OF EDEN or McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD, but it is a great fun read with harrowing twists and turns. I highly recommend this tale to anyone with a pulse.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest novels of all time
Review: I disagree with the reviewer who said that readers should try not to be offended given the current global situation; this book is more relevant now than ever, for the war of today is even more disjointed and Catch-22ish than World War II ever was. This novel is simply brilliant, and despite its bleakness it does end on a hopeful note and is hilarious throughout with its cruel and unrelented exposures of the insanity of the military, such as the colonel who arbitrarily raises the missions to get his picture in the Saturday Evening Post and the chaplain's interrogation (in which he is found guilty of all the crimes he would ever commit; of course he is guilty, they are HIS infractions!). Through it all, Yossarian, the only sane character in the madness, tries to get himself grounded but finds himself repeatedly blocked by Catch-22, and tries in vain to convince others around him that he is crazy while at the same time they are all crazy around him. The novel reads like a dream, completely out of sequence and often making no sense, but in the world of Catch-22 everything you know is wrong, and afterwards you begin to question everything you know. The final paragraph, even though it's only three sentences, is a gleeful twist on itself and is the perfect ending to a perfect novel.