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A review by genevievesbooknook
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
"He was never without misery, and never without hope"
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually liked this book. Originally, I watched the recent George Clooney adaptation and decided not to read it. A few months later, however, I changed my mind because I had an urgent desire to read this book which I am extremely grateful for.
I started to really get into this book once I got to the bed sheet fiasco in Chapter 7, however, there were other funny moments throughout the book as well. Reading the book gave me a better appreciation of Heller's work (unlike the show), particularly with characters such as Hungry Joe and Chief White Halfcoat that weren't in the adaptation and those that were like Orr and Clevinger. Despite the fact that this book looks specifically into the Army, I feel that this book can be relatable to everyone because of the bureaucracy within it. I read this book when I was unemployed and hopeless, but this book helped me to feel less alone with my struggles because I could understand exactly where Yossarian was coming from.
There are a couple of gory moments and there are times when, because of the male-dominated environment, it is sexist. If you don't like those things then this book is probably not for you. If you like books that have surreal humorous takes on bureaucracy and army life, then I would definitely recommend this book.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually liked this book. Originally, I watched the recent George Clooney adaptation and decided not to read it. A few months later, however, I changed my mind because I had an urgent desire to read this book which I am extremely grateful for.
I started to really get into this book once I got to the bed sheet fiasco in Chapter 7, however, there were other funny moments throughout the book as well. Reading the book gave me a better appreciation of Heller's work (unlike the show), particularly with characters such as Hungry Joe and Chief White Halfcoat that weren't in the adaptation and those that were like Orr and Clevinger. Despite the fact that this book looks specifically into the Army, I feel that this book can be relatable to everyone because of the bureaucracy within it. I read this book when I was unemployed and hopeless, but this book helped me to feel less alone with my struggles because I could understand exactly where Yossarian was coming from.
There are a couple of gory moments and there are times when, because of the male-dominated environment, it is sexist. If you don't like those things then this book is probably not for you. If you like books that have surreal humorous takes on bureaucracy and army life, then I would definitely recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
There's one scene in particular that's a little graphic, that's all I'm going to say.