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Catch-22
544 pages, 2011
fiction
1382 booksThis fiftieth-anniversary edition commemorates Joseph Heller's masterpiece with a new introduction, critical essays and reviews, rare papers and photos, and much more. Fifty years after its original publication, Catch-22 remains a cornerstone of American literature and one of the funniest—and most celebrated—books of all time.
In recent years it has been named to "best novels" lists by Time, Newsweek, the Modern Library, and the London Observer. Set in Italy during World War II, this is the story of the incomparable bombardier Yossarian, who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him.
But his real problem is not the enemy—it's the army that keeps increasing the number of missions he must fly to complete his service.
Joseph Heller's Catch-22 gives us a unique perspective on the absurdity of war. The book is filled with nonsensical rules and regulations that highlight the irrationality of military bureaucracy. It's a great read if you want to explore the madness that can come with power and authority.
Catch-22 is famous for its paradoxical situations. Heller uses these to show how people can be trapped by systems that are supposed to protect them. If you're interested in seeing how paradoxes can be used in storytelling, you should definitely check out this book.
Despite its serious themes, Catch-22 is also a hilarious book. Heller uses satire and humor to critique war and bureaucracy. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh while also making you think, this is the one for you.
One of the key themes in Catch-22 is the struggle for survival and sanity in a world gone mad. The characters in the book are constantly trying to find ways to stay alive and keep their sanity in the midst of war. It's a fascinating look into the human spirit and resilience.
Heller doesn't hold back in his critique of bureaucracy in Catch-22. He shows how it can be dehumanizing and absurd, and how it can trap people in impossible situations. If you've ever felt frustrated by red tape, you'll find a lot to relate to in this book.
Quotes 5
Catch-22 is the only war novel I've read that makes any sense.
Christopher Buckley - Political satiristCatch-22 is not merely a great war novel, it's the finest ever written.
Norman Mailer - Novelist, JournalistCatch-22's depiction of war and bureaucracy's absurdity is unmatched.
Philip Roth - Literary FictionCatch-22 is a masterpiece that will endure.
Anthony Burgess - Novelist, ComposerCatch-22 is a monumental artifact of contemporary American literature.
Robert Gottlieb - Editor, Critic
