In Books
  • All Departments
  • In Books
  • In Bargain Books
  • In eReading
  • In Kids' Books
  • In Teens' Books
  • In Toys & Games
  • In Video Games
  • In Lifestyle & Paper
  • In Movies & TV
  • In Music
  • In Used & Rare Books
  • In Used & Rare Movies & TV
  • In Used & Rare Music
Catch-22

Average rating: 4/5

Based on 168 ratings

Rate this

Catch-22

by Joseph Heller

Simon & Schuster | September 4, 1996 | Trade Paperback

Catch-22 is like no other novel. It is one of the funniest books ever written, a keystone work in American literature, and even added a new term to the dictionary.

At the heart of Catch-22 resides the incomparable, malingering bombardier, Yossarian, a hero endlessly inventive in his schemes to save his skin from the horrible chances of war. His efforts are perfectly understandable because as he furiously scrambles, thousands of people he hasn''t even met are trying to kill him. His problem is Colonel Cathcart, who keeps raising the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempts to excuse himself from the perilous missions that he is committed to flying, he is trapped by the Great Loyalty Oath Crusade, the hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule from which the book takes its title: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes the necessary formal request to be relieved of such missions, the very act of making the request proves that he is sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved.

Catch-22 is a microcosm of the twentieth-century world as it might look to some one dangerously sane -- a masterpiece of our time.

Save 24 %

$18.99
$14.43
$13.71

In Stock

Only 1 left in stock

All Editions Online Member
[+] Hardcover $19.76 $18.77
Hardcover $19.79 $18.80
  • Eligible for FREE Shipping on orders over $25. + Details.

Reviews

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Not only an absolutely brilliant commentary on the absurdity of war (along with bureaucracy and capitalism thrown in for good measure), but a microcosm of the entire 20th century with all of its angst, humour, brutality, and tragedy. This deserves to be in a top ten list of 20th century novels for sure. I listened to the audiobook read by Trevor White which was fantastic.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    This is probably the funniest book I have ever read. Yes there is war and gore but the humour in this book is unforgettable A protagonist you need to revisit again and again. Yossarian >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Holden lol

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Adsurd and brilliant

    Tyler Hill

    2 years ago

    I have read this book at least five times and it's still as enjoyable as the first time I read it. The absurd and hilarious antics of various members of the squadron make it a fun read. The book at the same time is also a brilliant critique of the military hierarchy and war. Yossarian's quest to stop flying missions, which will likely end only in his and other pilot's deaths, the war-profiteering of Milo, the cut throat quest of certain officers to rise in rank, despite their men. The combination of these two factors make the book probably the most interesting book on the second world war one would ever read.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?
    jaime Burbidge

    Rating: 5/5

    A Brain Bender

    jaime Burbidge

    12 years ago

    A great satirical look at war. Captain Yossarian is the subject of this mind-twisting book. Sometimes the book is known to make little sense to people, and yet it makes perfect sense. I had the fortune to be one of the few who it did make sense to and It was a wonderful look at humans and war and how the two do not mix.

see more

Details

From Our Editors

Catch-22 is like no other novel we have ever read. It has its own style, its own rationale, its own extraordinary character. It moves back and forth from hilarity to horror. It is outrageously funny and strangely affecting. It is totally original. National ads/media

From the Publisher

Catch-22 is like no other novel. It is one of the funniest books ever written, a keystone work in American literature, and even added a new term to the dictionary.

At the heart of Catch-22 resides the incomparable, malingering bombardier, Yossarian, a hero endlessly inventive in his schemes to save his skin from the horrible chances of war. His efforts are perfectly understandable because as he furiously scrambles, thousands of people he hasn''t even met are trying to kill him. His problem is Colonel Cathcart, who keeps raising the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempts to excuse himself from the perilous missions that he is committed to flying, he is trapped by the Great Loyalty Oath Crusade, the hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule from which the book takes its title: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes the necessary formal request to be relieved of such missions, the very act of making the request proves that he is sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved.

Catch-22 is a microcosm of the twentieth-century world as it might look to some one dangerously sane -- a masterpiece of our time.

About the Author

Joseph Heller lives with his wife in East Hampton, New York. He is also the author of Closing Time and other novels.

Trade Paperback

464 Pages, 5.25 x 8 x 1.07 in

September 4, 1996

Simon & Schuster

English


0684833395
9780684833392

From the Critics

"Wildly original, brilliantly comic, brutally gruesome, it is a dazzling performance that will probably outrage nearly as many readers as it delights." -Orville Prescott, New York Times Book Review

< close and return to chapters.indigo.ca
kobo
  • Take your library with you wherever you go
  • Use the device you want to use… smartphone, desktop and many of today’s most popular eReaders
  • Use Indigo gift cards to buy eBooks and subscriptions

WHY KOBO?

We love the Kobo eReading service… and we know you will too. We’ve partnered with them to bring you the most flexible, enjoyable eReading experience in Canada.

SHOPPING ON KOBO

You’ll be asked to sign in or create a new account with Kobo. Once you do, you’ll immediately get access to millions of titles and be ready to start eReading. Anytime. Anyplace.

continue to kobo

Sign up for email

Be the first to know

about discounts, promotions and new releases.

Sign up now 

Self Publish

Get your book published

and on our shelves!

Find out how  

Protected by Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices and Terms of Use | Privacy Policy  

Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation © 2010

Powered by EndecaVeriSign SecuredEssential Accessibility 

As Canada’s purveyor of ideas and inspiration, Indigo is the largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer in Canada. Indigo operates in all provinces under different banners including Indigo Books & Music; Indigo Books, Gifts, Kids; IndigoSpirit; Chapters; The World's Biggest Bookstore; and Coles. The online channel, www.indigo.ca, features books, eBooks, toys and gifts and hosts the award winning Indigo Online Community.

101