Catch-22

Adsurd and brilliant

7 days 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… + read more

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Timeless Hilarity

2 months ago

Random humor seems to be the shtick that most comedies go for these days, but before the Family Guy's and The Office's of the world were even a figment of someone's imagination, there was Catch-22. And holy crap is it ever halarious. As much of a challenge the dialogue is to follow at times, it is also insanely funny and masterfully written. Heller pulls off literary maneouvers so subtlety that English teachers all over must drool every time they pick up the book. So many ironic moments, so… + read more

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• 3 people found this helpful

Yossarian Lives!

12 months ago

Catch-22 is an existential, antiwar satire told through asininity and disjointed logic, often running on bureaucracy and “military intelligence,” or a lack there of. Heller uses a non-chronological narrative which can be hard to follow at times, but eventually results in an affective lead-up to the novels important conclusions. We are presented with a military wrought with corruption and greed, whereby the senior officers pose more of a threat to the men then the actual enemy. This classic is a… + read more

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• 1 person found this helpful

Cleverly Satirical

3 years ago

This book is a must read for anyone that wants to stand against any aspect of war. Heller spins this tale with hilarious fashion, filling the reader with gut-wrenching hilarity one minute, and depressing sadness the next. Yossarian, the anti-hero of the story, is not what you would expect the main character of the novel to be like, yet he is entirely real and true to life. This truly is a must-read classic.

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Hilariously Clever

3 years ago

Joseph Heller manages to create a web of hilarious experiences for his hero, Yossarian, who tries to stay alive for as long as possible, despite all his missions. The idea of Catch-22 itself is an ingenious concept; Everyone must fly missions if he is sane, and for those who continue to fly missions voluntarily are considered insane and eligible to be sent home. Yet he must request permission to be sent home, which renders him sane. Such is that the trap of Catch-22. So simple, yet so binding… + read more

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