Shoebox Reviews: Catch 22
Writing by Demy on Thursday, 29 of November , 2007 at 3:28 pm
Shoebox Review
Catch-22
Joseph Heller
When I first starting reading Joseph Heller’s 1955 classic Catch-22, I had no idea what I was getting into. I had no preconceptions about the novel or even an idea of what it was about. My main source of information about the book was the blurb on the back cover and the vague notion that it was a classic. I simply picked it up and decided, on a whim, to give it a chance. In the end, it turned out to be one of the best literary decisions I’ve ever made.
The plot is simple: Yossarian is a frantic bombardier stationed on a fictional Mediterranean island during the height of World War II whose only goal is to be dismissed from duty by reason of insanity. Despite his best efforts, however; he is constantly thwarted by the notorious “catch-22”: a military law that proves his sanity by the fact that he is acting insane. The story follows him throughout his numerous attempts to prove his insanity and survive the war. The humor of Yossarian’s behavior in context of the war gives the reader images of a world that has gone mad and the repetitive futility of combat.
Since I first read it during my freshman year of high school, it’s been one of my most highly recommended books to friends and family members. It’s a fantastic novel for many, many reasons.
So why should you read it?
1. It’s hilarious. Heller takes a place and time in history that should be laced with dark, tragic themes and turns it on its head. Nothing about the world of Catch-22 is ordinary, and even the most run-of-the-mill occurrences are blown out of proportion. From army Majors who jump out of windows to avoid seeing their subordinates, to an entire military maneuver being cancelled because someone moved a marker line on a map, Catch-22 is the epitome of a world gone mad. The dialogue is witty and often ironic, with characters constantly going in circles with their words. If you enjoy Monty Python’s kind of humor, you’ll be able to appreciate Heller’s style.
2. It’s a classic. Don’t be fooled by the fact that Catch-22 hasn’t won any major literary awards since its release. There’s good reason why it has withstood the test of time to become a favorite of millions worldwide. Not only is the plot solid and the dialogue witty, but Heller’s writing is clear and to the point. The characters are memorable and distinct, and by the end it’s difficult to not have a favorite. Despite its length (Catch-22 weighs in at a respectable 463 pages) the story moves quickly, giving the impression of a much shorter book.
3. How could you not read a novel that has a major (no pun intended) character named Major Major Major Major? Seriously.
4. It impresses people. Not only will teachers, relatives and complete strangers be impressed by the fact that you read such a lovely, classic book as Catch-22, but you will officially have the right to look down your nose at anyone who (after hearing someone mention the phrase) says, “Catch-22? Isn’t that a band?” Yes, but it was a book first.
5. After reading it, you will always know what someone means when they say “It’s a catch-22.” Useless knowledge? Maybe. But should you ever end up on Jeopardy or a high-stakes game of Trivial Pursuit…you’ll be prepared.
Catch-22 isn’t for everyone, though. If you lack even the most basic sense of humor, think that World War II stories should be serious and somber, or have a fear of novels longer than 400 pages, you might want to pass on this one. If you don’t fall into any of these categories, however; I highly recommend you pick up Catch-22 and give it a serious read. You won’t regret it.
Overall rating: Highly recommended. Especially for anyone who enjoys humorous novels and stories about World War II.
Ease of read: Easy. Catch-22 falls under the category of “light reading” that I use to put off reading more difficult or boring books for school.
Price: Roughly $11.00 new and $4.00 used on line. Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble have both new and used copies in stock.
(image Flickred by Ross Angus)
Category: Shoebox Reviews, Columns, Writing
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