Catch-22

Rating: ★★★★★

Method of Reading: Personally owned paperback novel, 453 pages
Dates of Reading: March 31, 2012-April 27, 2012
Author: Joseph Heller
Publication Year: 1955
Recommended to: Comedy fans. Those who enjoy war books will, I suspect, also like it.
Quotes:
   "'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?'" (276).
   "'That crazy bastard may be the only sane one left'" (110).
   "'...we will certainly come out on top again if we succeed in being defeated'" (245).
   "Wasn't there tragedy enough?" (276).
   "'It's my self'" (291).
Movie: Of course.

Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22
Link: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/catch-22/book-summary.html

My View: Harper Lee's testament on the cover, "The only war book I've ever read that makes any sense!" seemed like a boldfaced lie for the first few pages. However, as the book progressed I continually found myself in stitches with the combination of verbal slapstick, stichomythia, and circuitous logic that makes up this book, and I began to agree. I really enjoyed and appreciated every word and character in this book, even in the darker parts. It had a message about life that I'm still absorbing, but man was it a fun ride to reach it! Brilliant Catcher-feel writing and characters with just enough real life to make the parody funny and not stupid. Lovable, smart. Never boring. And I now shamelessly use the titular paradox to understand daily life.


Always,
Your Bibliomaniac

Bibliographic info:
Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.