Catch-22 (the book)

[muddyboots]

Have you guys read this thing? Certainly I liked the movie, and there is all the terrific footage. But I'd rate this as one of the finest efforts in the 20th Century to describe what modern man has become (it doesn't just pertain to war, but also to industrialization, communal living, and capitalism.) Now that I have a copy, I'm disgusted to know that none of my teachers or professors ever introduced us to it (obviously because of its subject instead of its content.)

Heller's description of the way fear settles into the aircrews lives until they're literally insane with it, and how they look for the most boring things that they can find to make life sort of stretch out, well, it's a fantastic explanations of why we come home sort of out out of true, like a nice house that just doesn't look quite right...

It's not only funnier (imo) than the movie, it's also a moving, often painful read. He introduces jokes that pop up from nowhere, so all you see is the punchline (almost invariable funny even without the joke itself) and then a few pages or chapters later you find that the punchline wasn't to a joke, it was simply the final result of a catastrophe...When taken out of context it just seems silly, as if the character were doing something to be laughed at. And when it's explained you get the impression that this person is broken inside, by the horror and fear he lives with. His descriptions of young men struggling to grow old is unforgettable.

I would strongly suggest that if you like reading--you should go find this book and put it on your shelf.

Outstanding book, I actually got a grade in college for reading this book. I think I got a 'C' in the class, and very proud to say it was my highest grade ...

[Curtis Block]

Great book!

I've read it more times than I've seen the movie.

It was required reading in two of the classes I took in college. My lefty, tree hugging collage didn't give grades however.

Unfortunately I can't find my copy right now . I've had a hankering to read it again since the Catch 22 post showed up.

If, or when I ever really get my hands on a B-25, it will say Captain Yossarian on the bombardier position.

Read it.
If you've read it already, read it again.

"That's some catch, that Catch-22,"

Last edited by Curtis Block on Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Jack Cook]

Try out Whip and the Last Dogfight by Martin Caiden.
He was much better at fiction than non-fiction

[michaelharadon]

Nice, poignant insights, Muddy.

Wasn't Heller an aircrewman himself?

[Forgotten Field]

and how they look for the most boring things that they can find to make life sort of stretch out,

Muddy,
Absolutely the best description of the book and combat anybody could write. When you're living fast, slowing time down like that brings on some truly bizarre things.

[bdk]

I had to reread about every paragraph to keep from losing track of where I was. It was very good, but very hard to get through. I think I was very "challenged" by the book, even though I managed to make it through college reasonably well.

[muddyboots]

Nice, poignant insights, Muddy.

Wasn't Heller an aircrewman himself?

He was a bombardier/Navagitor on a B-25, wouldja believe? His description of the tunnel he has to use to get to his escape hatch is frightening.

Heller later remembered the war as "fun in the beginning... You got the feeling that there was something glorious about it." On his return home he "felt like a hero... People think it quite remarkable that I was in combat in an airplane and I flew sixty missions even though I tell them that the missions were largely milk runs."

Read his descriptions of air combat and you'll see it wasn't all milk and honey.

60 missions. that's 60 MISSIONS Mind, by that time the Luftwaffe was back in der Vaterland trying to hold off the 8th Air Force, but still...

[Kyleb]

Try out Whip and the Last Dogfight by Martin Caiden.
He was much better at fiction than non-fiction

Caidin wrote non-fiction?

[TAdan]

Yup, I read it back in highschool and it is an excellent book. With Stoney's Catch-22 picture thread I am tempted to read it again. I just watched the movie (again) last week.

I've also been meaning to check out "Closing Time" Heller's sequel to Catch-22...

[Jerry O'Neill]

I had to reread about every paragraph to keep from losing track of where I was. It was very good, but very hard to get through. I think I was very "challenged" by the book, even though I managed to make it through college reasonably well.

One of my all-time favorite books, but it took me two times to actually finish it!
I tried to read it in High School and had to ut it down because I just couldn't understand and follow it. When I got out of college and seen the film a few times, I picked it up again and it was honestly the first time that I ever read a book and laughed out loud!:lol:
It's got a lot to say and there are many levels.
Great book!
Jerry

[Jerry O'Neill]

Try out Whip and the Last Dogfight by Martin Caiden.
He was much better at fiction than non-fiction

Caidin wrote non-fiction?

Now that's funny!!!!!!

[Beachy]

Hands down, one of the very best books I've ever read. Read it for the first time when I was 14; have re-read it more times than I can count in the more than 20 years since. I found it very humorous that first time, but with age came a greater appreciation -- and understanding --

First class material!

[gary1954]

Read it Five times

[Holedigger]

Have not read it in a long time. This thread sparked a thought (like that ever happens ) I wonder if the writers for MASH, the movie, and then TV series, had Catch 22 in the back of their minds when writing? Certainly some of the same scenes of humor and poignancy amongst young men tossed into a violent struggle against their wills just trying to survive.