Catch-22

[Pelafina]

"Catch-22 is a satirical, historical novel by the American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961. The novel, set during the later stages of World War II from 1943 onwards, is frequently cited as one of the great literary works of the twentieth century. It has a distinctive non-chronological style where events are described from different characters' points of view and out of sequence so that the time line develops along with the plot.

The novel follows Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and a number of other characters. Most events occur while the airmen of the fictional Fighting 256th (or "two to the fighting eighth power") Squadron are based on the island of Pianosa, in the Mediterranean Sea west of Italy."


Exceptional novel so far, I'm about halfway through.

Anyone else?

[Enchanted Rose]

Probably the funniest thing I've ever read. (i.e successfully humorous).

I don't find much war literature enjoyable, but I love the cynicism and black humour of Catch-22, which manages to protest against war by showing it as illogical and farcical, rather than the whiny, pitying condemnation route that a lot of other stuff takes.

It's an extremely clever book, and immensely witty.

[Machu Picchu]

Originally Posted by Enchanted Rose

Probably the funniest thing I've ever read. (i.e successfully humorous).

I don't find much war literature enjoyable, but I love the cynicism and black humour of Catch-22, which manages to protest against war by showing it as illogical and farcical, rather than the whiny, pitying condemnation route that a lot of other stuff takes.

It's an extremely clever book, and immensely witty.

I agree with this, mostly. I thought some parts were boring/moved too slowly, however. Overall I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

[scubasteve]

i have decided to read this for school

expect updates maybe

[Bangkok Superpussy]

I don't know if I would call it the single funniest thing I've read, but along with Confederacy of Dunces and Steve's stories it's up there.

[scubasteve]

my american lit teacher from last year claims this book is so funny that one time he was reading it during study hall, and he was laughing so hard that he got kicked out of class

i mean yeah sure it's witty, but i can't say i've done anything past minor chuckling yet

[Enchanted Rose]

hahahaha, well yeah, I'm not sure it's entirely laugh out loud funny. It's less instantaneous, but something you can appreciate, and ruminate on for a while after.

The type of humour and gist of the plot reminds me of Dr Strangelove: Or How I Stopped Worrying and Learnt to Love the Bomb.

[Massive Attack]

The cynicism is pretty funny... I've only read a few chapters so far, but I'm enjoying it.

[scubasteve]

i read it all this weekend - not because it was crazy good, but because i'm a faggot ass overachiever and wanted to get ahead in my cbr class

not that it isn't good. aside from trying to remember like 200 characters, it's alright, but when it comes to anti-war novels, slaughterhouse-five remains my personal favorite

as for my next book for this class, i think i'm hitting up a gandhi biography

[Trag]

I love Slaughterhouse-5, Vonnegut's my favorite author.
I really hope that I can get my brothers copy of this book by the end of this week, it seems that I'm missing out :/

[krexia]

Catch-22 is my absolute favourite book ever. I've read it at least a dozen times, at least once a year since I first picked it up, and it still hasn't gotten old. Slaughterhouse-Five is great, but I prefer Yossarian's adventures.

[The Lionheart]

"catch-22; read it, and you'll never be the same again."

My class is being assigned this book to read, and I'm really looking forward to it.

[mad cunt]

Yeah read it last year back in school. I would laugh in class and get some confused smiles from classmates... not to the point that I got kicked out though. o wat thread was dying?