Rating: 
Summary: Catch-22
Review: Catch-22 is probably one of the best books I've ever read. It's a hilarious satire on the insanity of war and bureaucracy. However, the book can be rather hard to follow at times because of the way that Heller moves back and forth. The book is not organized chronologically either. It is organized more through important events regardless of their place in time. The flashbacks kept me on the edge of my seat, however, because of the fact that only a small amount was revealed every time a situation was referred to, until finally the whole scene is revealed. The book evolves from a comedy to tragedy throughout the story, such as Yossarian's trips to the hospital. Which eventually grow from silly made up illnesses, to serious life threatening ones.
Rating:
Summary: Funniest Book I've Ever Read
Review: This book is awesome. Heller took the generally depressing and played out theme of war and came up with a hilarious piece of literature that shows both the humor and the horror of war. Characters like Yossarian, Milo, and Colonel Cathcart make you laugh out loud while characters such as Snowden amd once again Yossarian make you feel the pain and pressure of living life day to day not knowing if you'll see the next. The stress of being constantly in danger has driven the whole squadron of bombers insane but their antics make for a humorous storyline. Heller manipulates the device of absurdity to mold the story into a hilarious chain of events as Yossarian does everything in his power and some things that aren't within his power to avoid flying even one more mission. The characters are well developed (a new one in each chapter) and each one seems to have his own absurd, definitive quality that makes him decidedly Helleresque. If you want a well written novel that will make you laugh out loud, Catch-22 is your best bet.
Rating: 
Summary: War is Heck
Review: As anti-war propaganda, this book is pretty good. All Quiet on the Western Front was better, but not nearly as funny. That's where Catch 22 excels. The book did not convince me that there is nothing worth fighting or dying for (remember the Holocaust?) but it does make you question why you are fighting and whom or what you are fighting for. Heller has incredible wit and humor, and if you can get past the overwritten prose (seems like every other word is an adjective) you'll find some real gold here.
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever written...and that is a fact!
Review: Alright....books are subjective, but you can't deny the power behind this hilarious, satirical and deeply moving masterpiece. Never before has the pretzel logic of characters like these been used so effectively to explain the horrors of war. The same idea is presented over and over(the notion of Catch-22) and it never gets tired. It is so entertaining and so moving that you, like me, may return to the first page right after you finish.
Rating:
Summary: Horse chestnuts and crab apples
Review: This book I thought was at it's best in the beginning. It continued well bought could not keep up the humor using the same kind of jokes that Heller kept using. Maybe it was just too long. Catch 22 was an original and well written and sometimes hilarious novel. It's message is that nothing should be taken seriously, or is it that everything should be taken seriously? Who stole my plum tomato?
Rating:
Summary: Yossarian Lives
Review: Awesome book - the funniest book about the saddest topic that I have or ever will read - Everyone should read this - especially if you are, have been or will be in a bureaucracy (read - everyone)
Rating:
Summary: What else is there?
Review: "Catch-22" is a work of unquestionable brilliance. That said, there are many reasons why you may not want to read it. First, if you have succumbed to the mass-market myth that all good pieces of fiction must have a contrived, cookie cutter plot, which yanks whatever characters therein around like chess-pieces, this is not for you. Second, if you have a short attention span and prefer to read fiction that skims along at reckless speeds and never dips below the surface of anything, this is also not the book for you. Finally, if you think that all fiction should be filled with ridiculous gravity and straight-faced stupidity and don't understand the concept of satire, this book should be avoided at all cost.If you do not fall into one of the above categories - READ THIS BOOK! It will be one of the most delightful experiences of your life. It is a long book and effort is definitely required to read it, but "Catch-22" rewards ever ounce of effort. Almost every page is packed with a new, fresh and challenging scenario, one which tackles the issues Heller deals with head on. The beauty of Heller's razor sharp wit is that it cuts down the very heart of the matter, clears away the distortions of emotion and preconcieved opinion, bringing everything into perfect focus. This is no normal piece of fiction. Many of the characters are faceless and nameless, puppets playing their role in Heller's elaborate production. They are symbols, as are the sometimes fantastic setting and always fantastic scenarios. That is Heller's point. He had no interest in writing a typical piece of fiction, the kind that could be easy consumed, digested and disposed of. This is a book that takes control of you and doesn't let go, not even after you've put it down. This is a true original, a true work of art.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST book i've ever read in my life!
Review: I've read a lot of books, and i must admit that this is the best one! I just finished this book 10 minutes ago, and i know i will read it again numerious times! This books throws the reader into laughter and next moment into tears.It fills the reader with hope and the next moment it feels like a doom. I wasn't able to guess the ending of the book until the very last sentense. Even second to last sentense makes it feel totally different.
Rating: 
Summary: Well, it was okay.
Review: This book is interesting but it is not one of the best books I have read. I found that Catch-22 was a slow moving book that often wanders aimlessly in many directions. However, this is a good bed time book for someone who has trouble falling asleep
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Book I've Ever Read
Review: If I could, I would've given this book no stars at all. I could not bring myself to read beyond page 120 because I found what I read absolutely and unbelievably ridiculous. I couldn't see how so many people gave the book four and five stars. I definitely learned from this experience not to fall for books just because they have a high number of positive reviews as this book does.
|
