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tspelczechquer's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderfully maddening. Read it. You'd be crazy not to.
amarie77's review against another edition
5.0
This book was amazing. Hilarious and heartbreaking, often going from one to the other in just a few lines.
It's best kind of book there is, it will make you laugh, it's deeply entertaining and it will make you think, in this case, about war, its consequences and impact on the human spirit. I couldn't recommend it more.
It's best kind of book there is, it will make you laugh, it's deeply entertaining and it will make you think, in this case, about war, its consequences and impact on the human spirit. I couldn't recommend it more.
cudaaman's review against another edition
2.0
This was the first book I decided to tackle as part of my classic/iconic book projects. It's routinely listed among the best novels of all time, and I know several people who love it.
But, eh, I was not wild about it. Catch-22 tackles some time-honored themes: War is hell. The government is full of double-talking, self-serving bureaucrats. Power corrupts.
I get that Catch-22 is a seminal book, and that, if it seems cliched, that's because many other works have tread the same ground that it sort of trail-blazed.
But here's my big issue with it -- satirical novels just shouldn't be 400+ pages long. This is a book where everyone talks in circles and contradictions. It illustrates the author's point about the futility of war and the inefficiency of government, but a little goes a long way. It just felt overwrought to me after a certain point.
Still, maybe the point of the book is that is supposed to be exhausting. Maybe you're supposed to feel the same frustration, rage and sense of encroaching insanity as the main character. I could understand. It just doesn't make for a very absorbing reading experience.
I was torn about whether to give this book two stars or three. I ultimately decided on three, because it is an interesting book and I am glad I read it. But I was underwhelmed, to say the least. The book project is not off to a smashing start.
But, eh, I was not wild about it. Catch-22 tackles some time-honored themes: War is hell. The government is full of double-talking, self-serving bureaucrats. Power corrupts.
I get that Catch-22 is a seminal book, and that, if it seems cliched, that's because many other works have tread the same ground that it sort of trail-blazed.
But here's my big issue with it -- satirical novels just shouldn't be 400+ pages long. This is a book where everyone talks in circles and contradictions. It illustrates the author's point about the futility of war and the inefficiency of government, but a little goes a long way. It just felt overwrought to me after a certain point.
Still, maybe the point of the book is that is supposed to be exhausting. Maybe you're supposed to feel the same frustration, rage and sense of encroaching insanity as the main character. I could understand. It just doesn't make for a very absorbing reading experience.
I was torn about whether to give this book two stars or three. I ultimately decided on three, because it is an interesting book and I am glad I read it. But I was underwhelmed, to say the least. The book project is not off to a smashing start.
mrdanman2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
marointhegraph's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alex109's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book is masterful in its wordplay and coyness.
It’s a hard book to get into, but it truly is worth it. You begin to be able to understand what’s comical nonsense and satirical criticism of the world he was in.
That’s about as much as I can really say, I hope the sequel isn’t as horrendous as people say, but upon completing the ending, idk if I want it to continue, it might be better it ends how it ends.
As cynical as this book is, at the end there is a sense of hope, and from what I’ve heard, Closing Time has been reported as a Cynical Diatribe of nonsense. It does speak on the Vietnam War, so to that extent it does intrigue me but I would be fine if this is how it ends.
Oh and it did drag a little sometimes but I still all and all enjoyed it
It’s a hard book to get into, but it truly is worth it. You begin to be able to understand what’s comical nonsense and satirical criticism of the world he was in.
That’s about as much as I can really say, I hope the sequel isn’t as horrendous as people say, but upon completing the ending, idk if I want it to continue, it might be better it ends how it ends.
As cynical as this book is, at the end there is a sense of hope, and from what I’ve heard, Closing Time has been reported as a Cynical Diatribe of nonsense. It does speak on the Vietnam War, so to that extent it does intrigue me but I would be fine if this is how it ends.
Oh and it did drag a little sometimes but I still all and all enjoyed it
veronica4242's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rybkaponi's review against another edition
3.0
Ну наконец-то. Наконец-то я его дочитал. Этот роман был бесконечным, он всё не заканчивался и не заканчивался.
Итак, что мы тут имеем? Мы имеем (анти?)военную сатиру. Причем, чтоб быть в курсе происходящего, надо как минимум отслужить. Так-то вроде бы и понятно всё, но всё же немного не то. Чтобы понять военно-канцелярскую машину, нужно пройти её. Ну это я так думаю. Может я, конечно, чего-то не понимаю.
Поражает ну просто дичайший бюрократизм и идиотизм военных, желание выслужиться перед высшими чинами. На этом, пожалуй, и строится весь сюжет - увеличение количества боевых вылетов, отмена марш-парада (которых никогда и не было), и бесконечное количество других абсурдных приказов и ситуаций.
В целом книга производит весьма странное впечатление. Нельзя сказать что она мне не понравилась - присутствует куча интересных моментов, к тому же если учесть время выхода книги, думаешь "ого-го, да как её вообще могли выпустить в такое время". Нельзя сказать что она мне понравилась - процентов 80 книги были ооочень нудны, и читалось только потому что нужно дочитать.
Итак, что мы тут имеем? Мы имеем (анти?)военную сатиру. Причем, чтоб быть в курсе происходящего, надо как минимум отслужить. Так-то вроде бы и понятно всё, но всё же немного не то. Чтобы понять военно-канцелярскую машину, нужно пройти её. Ну это я так думаю. Может я, конечно, чего-то не понимаю.
Поражает ну просто дичайший бюрократизм и идиотизм военных, желание выслужиться перед высшими чинами. На этом, пожалуй, и строится весь сюжет - увеличение количества боевых вылетов, отмена марш-парада (которых никогда и не было), и бесконечное количество других абсурдных приказов и ситуаций.
В целом книга производит весьма странное впечатление. Нельзя сказать что она мне не понравилась - присутствует куча интересных моментов, к тому же если учесть время выхода книги, думаешь "ого-го, да как её вообще могли выпустить в такое время". Нельзя сказать что она мне понравилась - процентов 80 книги были ооочень нудны, и читалось только потому что нужно дочитать.