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Liked It7 of 8 members found this review helpful “As a young boy growing up I always asked my dad what it was like in the Army. He would say "See that book, Catch 22? That's the best description I know" So as a young boy of 8 or 9 I would pull the book down, open it and start reading "It was love at first sight. The first time Yossarian saw the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It5 of 14 members found this review helpful “Repetitive, over-long, and sort of boring. It occasionally made me laugh, but each time only after wading through chapter upon chapter of copied-and-pasted, headache-inducing text.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“One of the funniest books I've ever read. Also, being in the military, I could relate to the insight in the ass backwards military way of thinking. It was a little frustrating at times, but very rewarding. ”
Kent wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I've read this a bunch of times. It is perhaps my favourite book of all time...”
Glen Thickett wrote this review 9 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not exactly plot-driven, but it's hysterical. Except when it's not. ”
Katy B wrote this review 12 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Found it boring, after the 100th page I was dying to throw it across the room. Not for me.”
Denise Neary (Neise) wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Well this was certainly the most FUN novel thus far, a stark contrast to the tremendous chore of the last one.
Joseph F wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I served in the Air Force myself so there was an immediate connection. My time 1985-2007, was undoubtedly very different than WWII, but there are still elements of military life, tedium, and bureaucracy that resonate. Catch-22 reminds me of M*A*S*H, the TV show, not the movie. But Heller portrays the military life so preposterously as to make it unbelievable. I have no issue with that, comedy is a gross exaggerations of the truth, so I can suspend disbelief for a laugh and entertainment. I don’t doubt there were absurd moments, in bizarre circumstances, enacted by incompetent players for ludicrous ends, but I can’t take most of the story seriously.
The concept of Catch-22 named, but certainly not invented, by Heller is quite entertaining:
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he were sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.
This was the first time I read Catch-22. I enjoyed it, but can’t say I loved it. ”
“Darkly comic and unforgettable.”
Rachel P wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Read the obligatory 100 pages, but wasn't worth the time to finish it. I prefer a book more plot driven.”
Nicole L wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of the funniest and terrifying books I've read. Bitter and bombastic.”
Lord Fagan, Duke of Strand wrote this review Sunday, April 29, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Summary:
Danny wrote this review Tuesday, April 24, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The term catch-22 today refers to a no-win situation (e.g. I need to work so I can buy a car, but I need a car in order to get to work), but it originated as the title of Joseph Heller's satire on war, government bureaucracy, and its inherent hypocrisy. Set during WWII on the Italian island of Pianosa, Catch-22 follows disjointed tales of bombardier Captain Yossarian and the men in his regimen. Its rather unique style of narration jumps from character to character as it explores their adventures non-chronologically.
Classroom Uses:
- Exploration of satire
- Discussion of logical fallacies
- Discussion of different portrayals of war in literature.
Pair with:
A Modest Proposal by Jonathon Swift
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Delicious Quote:
"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he were sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle."”“Grade 10-Summer Reading”
Amanda Jenkins wrote this review Wednesday, April 18, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
