I was considering reading it. Can you give me a quick synopsis. Would you recommend it?
2007-02-03 08:12:07 · 13 answers · asked by gandyg 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Yes! It is one of the best books I have ever read. It is laugh out loud funny and actually made me interested in WWII (something I never liked before). The story is about a guy named Yossarian who is in the military (stationed in Italy I believe). Yossarian is a very enduring, comical, and cynical character. He hates the war and does everything he can to avoid fighting. Even spending weeks in the infirmary. Each character introduced is eccentric and quirky in their own way just like Yossarian. Here are a couple of quotes I found on-line:
"They're trying to kill me," Yossarian told him calmly.
"No one's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried.
"Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked.
"They're shooting at everyone," Clevinger answered. "They're trying to kill everyone."
"And what difference does that make?"
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions.
I highly recommend the book. It is definitely worth anyone's time.
2007-02-03 08:41:09 · answer #1 · answered by ral2t 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Incredibly good book. I would highly recommend reading it. It is essentially a memoir of a WWII US soldier, but there is a far deeper meaning in the story than just the memories of a man. Heller uses the plot line to satirize different things, it is incredible when you finally link it all together. I don't want to say too much because it will ruin it for you, but definately read it.
2007-02-03 08:19:40 · answer #2 · answered by chelsie 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is all about different situations in which the person is pretty much doomed either way. That was confusing, so here is an example from the book: The only way for somebody to get a relief from fighting is if they are found to be insane. But to be found insane, you need to ask the doctors to give you an insanity test. So, if you ask the doctor for an insanity test to get out of the fighting, you are completely sane because a sane person would want to get out of the fighting.
However, all of the people in the story are related in that they are fighting in the same war (I think it is World War II).
I highly reccomend it!
2007-02-03 08:18:55 · answer #3 · answered by Munchali 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I read it in high school for English class and again in college for fun. It's a great read, and helps you truly understand the meaning of "Catch 22". I highly recommend it.
2007-02-03 08:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by Dawn S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but I have seen the film (with Art Garfunkel!).
It's about a guy who feigns insanity in order to not go to war, which means that he's stuck in a catch 22.
It's quite political, and weird, check it out!
2007-02-03 08:17:47 · answer #5 · answered by Huwbutts 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It's hilarious.
It's all about airmen on a base off the coast of italy during ww2 going crazy trying to get out of the airforce. It's funny, sad and clever all at the same time.
2007-02-03 08:17:02 · answer #6 · answered by mina_lumina 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yossarian appears crazy if viewed in isolation, but in the social context, he's tne sanest one of all.
2015-04-24 19:34:16 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catch22/summary.html
Although this is a popular book, it was a bit over the top for my sense of humor. Try it. You may like it.
2007-02-03 12:27:47 · answer #8 · answered by Ace Librarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i heard its good
and ppl use the term catch 22 in convo, i was wondering what it meant... go for it
ppl i know liked it
2007-02-03 08:15:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read it a couple of years ago and I enjoyed it a lot.
2007-02-03 08:28:44 · answer #10 · answered by Gruya 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋