lucinda08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ekirs's review against another edition
1.0
40 pages in and DNF. I am really not enjoying how the dialogue goes back and forth so quickly between so many minor characters whom I can’t be bothered to track. I read a plot summary online and feel like I learned what I needed to know about this book and why it’s famous. Life’s too short, onto something I’ll enjoy more
alimarashian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
allyofshalott's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay - after finishing this I understand why it has the position it does in ~literature, but this was a slog for me. Funny and emotionally affecting at times, but took a while for me to see the pattern because of the lack of plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Rape, Violence, War, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Medical content, and Grief
mixmix's review against another edition
1.0
If I had read this in a high school english class, I would have avoid books about war from that point on. I understand this book's relevance in the aftermath of WWII, but it's one of the driest, slowest, convoluted stories I've ever tried to read. I abandoned the book and read some chapter summaries, just to be sure I wasn't missing anything. I truly can't believe I've had this book on my to read list for so long... stay away!
zoomzoomzoom's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
missmazy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
toastberg's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brannigan's review against another edition
2.0
Review #4 of The Guardian 100 Greatest Novels
I really had to tough my way through this one. 450 pages of absurdist, non-sequitur-ridden humour, all based around the same joke. And yes, I literally laughed out loud at certain parts, and some passages impressed me with their horrifying intensity, but overall I found Catch-22 an unpleasant and often dull read. Plus, the way Heller writes about women is unnecessarily creepy. Two stars for originality.
I really had to tough my way through this one. 450 pages of absurdist, non-sequitur-ridden humour, all based around the same joke. And yes, I literally laughed out loud at certain parts, and some passages impressed me with their horrifying intensity, but overall I found Catch-22 an unpleasant and often dull read. Plus, the way Heller writes about women is unnecessarily creepy. Two stars for originality.
jsh626's review against another edition
3.0
C'mon, how do you not like a book that has a character named Major Major??