Catch 22, reaction to novel?

Question

I almost actualy threw up when reading joseph heller describe the wound of one of the soldiers in this novel.... I had to put the book down for a minute. I have never had such a reaction from a book and typicaly have a strong stomach for such things. Maybe its discriptive style, I don't know. It was a big suprise for me. Has anyone else ever had such a reaction from a book?

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Answer 1

No, never had that reaction. I love Catch 22. It's so true for a work of fiction!!!!! Go Yosarian Go!!!!!!

Answer 2

I've had books (authors, really) scare me so badly I needed a night light (and still had bad dreams.)
I've had them make me laugh so hard, I've actually cried.
I've had them make me so sad, I've wept.
Catch-22 is a magnificent novel by a truly gifted author. What it has to say about war and the military probably seems over-the -top to some - but not to anyone who's experienced both.
Great books by great authors can affect us in many different ways - sometimes they can even change our lives.
That's some catch, that Catch-22.

Those (such as Xamanator) who apparently think that THIS:

" it depends on the premise that it's always the good guys, ie Americans, who will win. Should the Russians have done what Heller advises in 1941? Or the British in 1940? Or the US today? ("OK Osama, here's a fleet of jets, fly all your followers over to Washington and start ruling us."

is the "message" of the book (or, for that matter, is even to be found ANYWHERE in the book) have clearly either never read it or have misread it totally.
However, I do agree that "The Good Soldier Svejk"
(see link below) is also a great anti-war novel.

Answer 3

This was a classic novel for me. I have not read it recently, but I did read it originally when I was in the military for the first time (I went back in as an officer 8 years later, and hated it even more. Although I remained in the standby reserve for 17 years total.) This book brought out the totally insane aspect of military service. I know it is brutal and frank besides being uproariously funny, But you had to be there to appreciate it. There are so many aspects of military blunders that hurt so many people. The Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854, The assault on Gallipoli during WW I. When will we ever stop having wars? That is the whole premise of Catch 22. I am sorry the realistic descriptions caused you such grief. They were meant to make you abhor war, and not to glorify it. If you saw some of the movies like Platoon and Full Metal Jacket they were made to bring war to its full potential for insanity, and should be shown to young men and women before they sign up for the military. It is not the Glory Game that every generation is lead to believe. Arthur Slessenger the famous historian of our age said. "Everyone loves war for the first 30 days." The Modern Library ranked Catch-22 as number 7 on its list of the greatest novels of the twentieth century

Answer 4

Catch-22 is not so much gross as grossly overrated. It depends on the premise that it's always the good guys, ie Americans, who will win. Should the Russians have done what Heller advises in 1941? Or the British in 1940? Or the US today? ("OK Osama, here's a fleet of jets, fly all your followers over to Washington and start ruling us.")
If you want a good anti-war book, the Good Soldier Svejk knocks Catch-22 into ****** hats.

Answer 5

From the sound of the other answers you've received I'll get lynched for saying this, but I couldn't stand Catch 22. I think it's the only book I've ever tried to read that I just haven't been able to finish. I've definitely had strong responses to other books, especially if a very sympathetic character dies, but Catch 22 is just not for me-I accept that it may be great literature but many other great works do so much more for me.

Answer 6

i loved that book and i hate reading... i personally thought "the things they carried" by tim o'brien was extremely graphic... it talked about the some of the things soldiers encountered during their service....

Answer 7

i always was wondering if i should read this book but from the answers it seems like i should, so i am going to read it. thanks