Fifty years after its original publication, “Catch-22 “remains a cornerstone of American lit-erature and one of the funniest–and most celebrated–novels 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, malingering bombardier, Yossarian, … Yossarian, a hero 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 is his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to excuse himself from the perilous missions he’s assigned, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved. Since its publication in 1961, no novel has matched “Catch-22“‘s intensity and brilliance in depicting the brutal insanity of war. This fiftieth-anniversary edition commemorates Joseph Heller’s masterpiece with a new introduction by Christopher Buckley; personal essays on the genesis of the novel by the author; a wealth of critical responses and reviews by Norman Mailer, Alfred Kazin, Anthony Burgess, and others; rare papers and photos from Joseph Heller’s personal archive; and a selection of advertisements from the original publishing campaign that helped turn “Catch-22 “into a cultural phenomenon. Here, at last, is the definitive edition of a classic of world literature.
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My personal choice for the best modern American novel — you’ll never forget Yossarian, Snowden or all the other memorable characters created by Heller. Deeply dark humor!
Read this book about 50+ years ago and again just recently. Just as well written and witty as I remembered.
Quite simply my favorite book of all time. Prompted to write this review after starting the TV series, which is also excellent.
It has come into the language, hasn’t it?
This book left me confused as to why most people thought it was a great book.
It’s still astonishing that some folks of a certain age haven’t read this classic … or that, once through it, they remark that they didn’t enjoy it or get it or even understand it. As haunting as it is humorous, this is a gem of a novel, the best of the anti-war efforts from a generation of writers who were there. One other warning: Reading it …
As great a book as was ever written. You laugh until you finally realize the book is a tragedy, and then you ask yourself what you were laughing at..
This is just an outstanding piece of work. Up there as one of my all time favorites.
I read Catch 22 over 40 years ago, in college. As I Recall, it was in tune with the times (the times being the turbulent anti-Vietnam war days). The characters ranged from quirky to downright strange and the military was portrayed as being maniacal and non-sensical. I don’t remember the details of the plot, just the impression I was left with.
My all time favorite 50 years after I first read it
Catch-22 is one of those books that you read and never forget. Even though the word ‘Catch-22’ has been entered into our lexicon forever, to me, the most haunting line is: “pilot to bombardier”.
One of the all time classic the title is use to describe a dilemnia to this day
Not a Heller fan at all! This was the most nihilistic depressing book i ever read. I know I’m supposed to love it but I hated it
Funniest book ever written. Life on a US air force base off Italy, and the crazy rules and crazier people there.
This is by far the funniest book I’ve ever read. Dispite not quite having a true plot, Catch 22 will keep you reading until you finish. Its very similar to the tv show Mash. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
one of my favorite books. an original story written like a jigsaw puzzle, each chapter is another piece until you reach the end and see the entire picture. a must read classic.
Now for those of you who know this book, you are thinking, “uh Jennifer? That book didn’t get bad reviews”. Believe it or not – it did. When it first came out 50 odd years ago. It was not well reviewed first go around. So – I used it in this category.
This book takes place in Italy during World War II. The main character is a bombardier …
One of the greatest novels about America. If it were only about wartime shenanigans, it would be enough, but it’s really about the entire sphere of American attitudes, fears, confusions and failings. Brilliant!
A book has become a meme!
I had no idea this book was going to e so funny. Catch-22 – it’s the best catch there is.