Catch-22

by Joseph Heller
Catch-22 cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Comedy/Humor
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Technical
  • ID: 24
  • Added: 2025-08-10
  • Updated: 2026-01-06
  • ISBN: 9791189109196
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2018-01-01
  • Formats: 160
  • Reviews: 4

Catch-22 is a groundbreaking novel that uses a unique narrative structure and dark humor to critique the military-industrial complex and the illogical nature of war. The story follows Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Forces, as he tries to maintain his sanity while fulfilling his service requirements so he can return home alive. The novel's title refers to a paradoxical situation in which a person is trapped by contradictory regulations, and the book's exploration of this concept has made it a classic of American literature. /n/n The novel's non-linear narrative structure and use of dark humor have made it a favorite of readers and critics alike. It was first published in 1961 and has since been adapted into a film and a television miniseries. The book's themes of war, bureaucracy, and the absurdity of human existence continue to resonate with readers today.

Reviews
The Communicator · 2022-03-04
great 4.20

The novel is quick-witted and honest, blending humor with tragedy. It's a book that challenges conventional notions of heroism.

This review highlights the novel's quick-witted and honest portrayal of war and its characters. The reviewer appreciates the way Heller blends humor with tragedy, creating a nuanced and thought-provoking narrative. They note that the novel challenges conventional notions of heroism, presenting a more realistic and complex view of war. The reviewer also mentions that the book's ability to make you laugh one moment and reflect on the horrors of war the next is what makes it so powerful.

Quick quotes

    Heller doesn't give you a hero. Instead the novel shows you that in-between laughs there's always tragedy.

    Catch-22 is quick-witted, honest, and challenges conventional notions of heroism.

    The book's ability to make you laugh one moment and reflect on the horrors of war the next is what makes it so powerful.

The Word Wolf · 2021-12-03
clever 4.50

The novel is praised as a cleverly crafted satire on war, emphasizing its absurdity and highlighting the dark humor within military life.

This review appreciates 'Catch-22' as a brilliantly clever literary work that uses satire to expose the absurdities of war and the illogical nature of bureaucracy. The humor is not just for entertainment but serves a deeper purpose of critiquing the military experience and the paradoxes faced by soldiers. The reviewer finds the novel's approach to war both insightful and engaging, making it a standout piece of literature in its genre.

Quick quotes

    'Catch-22' satirises the war. That's the whole point of it, and everything Heller does.

    I think it's a fantastically clever piece of literature.

    The absurdity of war is highlighted through dark humor and satire.

The Word Wolf · 2021-12-03
fantastic 4.00

The book is filled with bizarre and exaggerated situations that are both hilarious and baffling. It's a unique and entertaining read.

This reviewer found the book to be absolutely hilarious, with situations that are so exaggerated they become baffling. They appreciate the unique humor and the way Heller creates scenarios that are both funny and thought-provoking. The reviewer also notes that the book's absurdity is one of its strongest points, making it a standout in the world of literature. They believe that the novel's ability to blend humor with deeper themes is what makes it so memorable.

Quick quotes

    A lot of this book is absolutely hilarious. It's all just so bizarre, and so exaggerated.

    Some of the situations Heller creates are bafflingly funny.

    The book's absurdity is one of its strongest points, making it a standout in the world of literature.

The Boar · 2018-10-28
passionate 4.30

The novel evokes strong emotional responses, mixing rage and humor to explore the absurdities and frustrations of war.

The reviewer expresses a deep personal connection to 'Catch-22', describing it as a book filled with rage yet laced with humor. This combination makes the novel a compelling exploration of the paradoxes and frustrations inherent in war and military life. The emotional intensity conveyed through the narrative resonates strongly, making it not just a literary work but a powerful statement on the human experience during conflict. The reviewer values the novel’s unique tone that balances dark comedy with critical commentary.

Quick quotes

    It's strange to think that a book so consumed with rage, so bound up in humour, could be so powerful.

    I fell madly in love with it.

    Catch-22 is a book that dives deep into the frustrations of war.

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