Discover Joseph Heller's hilarious and tragic satire on military madness, and the tale of one man's efforts to survive it. It's the closing months of World War II and Yossarian has never been closer to death. Stationed in an American bomber squadron off the coast of Italy, each flight mission introduces him to thousands of people determined to kill him. But the enemy above is not Yossarian's problem - it is his own army intent on keeping him airborne, and the maddening 'Catch-22' that allows for no possibility of escape. ...
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Discover Joseph Heller's hilarious and tragic satire on military madness, and the tale of one man's efforts to survive it. It's the closing months of World War II and Yossarian has never been closer to death. Stationed in an American bomber squadron off the coast of Italy, each flight mission introduces him to thousands of people determined to kill him. But the enemy above is not Yossarian's problem - it is his own army intent on keeping him airborne, and the maddening 'Catch-22' that allows for no possibility of escape. 'The greatest satirical work in the English language' Observer 'The most devastating satire ever written about the lunacy of war and military bureaucracy' Antony Beevor INTRODUCED BY HOWARD JACOBSON
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One thing I hate in a work of fiction is a lot of "telling" over "action" but with Catch-22 I figured I had to be missing something that it was ME - after all, it is regarded as one of the greatest novels ever. Now, I understand that there are different styles when it comes to telling vs showing but this book so far has been ridiculous and I now know why I have tried 3 times unsuccessfully to get past the first few chapters. I am going to fight my way through it this time but not happily because I have been told for so many years by people whose literary opinions I respect that Catch 22 is the bee's knees. At some point, maybe the next chapter, or the chapter after that, I will get to the action. I know the story has action to it - I know there's a plot, because it's been made into a fine movie. And I know that some authors tell a little more than others and some readers enjoy a little telling with their action. But I have no idea what Heller is up to in the first 5 chapters of Catch 22. I've been told that the book is hilarious but if it is, it must be later on. The movie is very funny so that's what I'm hoping for. I normally would wait till I finish a book to review it but I am making a special exception for Catch 22 because so far it has been agonizingly boring.
Rick
Apr 12, 2016
Better than expected
The copy I received was better than expected. This book is a classic and a must to under stand the origin and meaning of "Catch-22" so commonly used in our language today.
David W
Aug 31, 2014
Sane insanity
Once you have read this book, one realises that the widespread use of "Catch 22" to describe a situation so often; could not be further from the truth of the definition as described in this book.
Read it, and enjoy.
Dr S
Nov 21, 2013
A Classic
There is nothing to review. A Great book and a Great writer. I lent my copy and never got it back. No bookcase should be without one and so I have replaced mine. It should be read every three years on a regular basis for its humour and insight into life and human frailty.
Jack W
May 2, 2013
Heller's Book is a classic
Joseph Heller only wrote one book worth reading, but it is very good and a joy to read. My only paperbac k copy is long worn out and I had to have a good hard copy for my library.
