Catch-22 (1961) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“Unique and overly witty, a book that will keep the attentive reader chuckling throughout. It requires some patience, but if you can give that much it's definitely worth it.”

• Rated 5 stars

“WWII in the style of MASH.”

• Rated 0 stars

“very satirical story of military in World War II with some funny word pictures of characters.”

• Rated 5 stars

“A hilarious satire that I couldn't put down. Definitely one of the funniest books I have ever read but it is so much more than just a normal comedy.

Set in the closing years of World War II an American squadron of B-25 bombers is stationed on a small island off the coast of German occupied Italy. The 'Catch 22' of the title is a military regulation which prevents airmen from being grounded. It says you can only be grounded if you are insane but if you approach a doctor and ask to be grounded you can't be insane. The commanders use this regulation as a way of keeping their reluctant bomber crews flying dangerous missions. In the squadron is Captain Yossarian a bombardier who won't play ball...

The novel is so brilliant I find it very difficult to describe it in a paragraph. There are so many characters and so many scenarios they have to deal with it is so much more than Yossarian's struggles with Catch 22. The satire is often dark and always funny. The absurdity of war and the insanity of fighting in them is so well illustrated it has to be one of the best war novels ever written (arguably the best) relentlessly funny and often poignant the genius of the book is that such serious content seamlessly fits into hilarity.

Here is a typical exchange between characters:

'They're trying to kill me,' Yossarian told him calmly.
'No-one's trying to kill you' Clevinger cried.
'Then why are they shooting at me?' Yossarian asked.
'They're shooting at everyone' Clevinger answered. 'They're trying to kill everyone'
'And what difference does that make?' ”

• Rated 0 stars

“A wonderful read. A clever writer. A ridiculous situation. Good fun (in a weird sort of way).”

• Rated 2 stars

“What in the hell for? I do not think I get the point. A satire I figure, right?”

• Rated 3 stars

“Good concept, but very hard to read for the average female. Good war story, I would advise it to those who enjoy violent war stories.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Loved the themes and humor. Had me laughing out loud during class.”

• Rated 1 stars

“Oh how I hate to give up on a book but it just seemed too dated”

• Rated 4 stars

“Volumes have been written about this book and I am not about to add too much more. Suffice it to say that not many authors’ novel titles are absorbed into the English language.

I love the satire, love the characters, love the action, love the dialogue, and I love the loops (plot, timeline and conversations). Regardless of being set in WWII, this book still stands out and will always be relevant due to its stellar accomplishment of showcasing the absurdity of war.

My only criticism? Why didn’t the editor take out all those adverbs… they did my head in. This is why I'm giving it 4 stars and not 5 stars.”