Reviews

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

mimimilaa's review against another edition

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4.0

The more I think about this book, the more I feel like I enjoyed it. While reading this book, I was so annoyed. The narration jumped around and you jumped back and forth in time, but you never knew if you were reading in the past, present, or future (you didn't even really know what the "present" was). The characters also just annoyed me.
However, since being away from this book for a few months, I've now realized that not only do i hate this book, but it's the type of book that I love to hate. Yes, it frustrated me and I was confused through a lot of it, but it was also extremely funny sometimes. The whole story was crazy and chaotic and just out-right ridiculous, which was what made it funny. It walked the line between stupid and funny, which is not something that I usually like because I often resort to feeling as if it's stupid.
I still get mad about this book when I think about it, but I honestly cannot describe this story; you just have to experience to understand.

arthur94's review against another edition

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4.0

Funny and insightful but definitely longwinded 

thope420's review against another edition

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fast-paced

5.0

austex_93's review against another edition

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2.0

It took me 3 tries to finally complete this book! It was tough to get through in the beginning, but about halfway it began to pick up. There were a few parts that made me laugh hard because of how ridiculous the situations were. Towards the end it became more of a war novel with gorey scenes which I enjoyed as well. I am so satisfied to finally shelf this book once and for all!

re2's review against another edition

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emotional funny
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

csmudde's review against another edition

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Lost interest.  The book is incredibly hard to follow and lacks a coherent plot.  

catevanam's review against another edition

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3.0

it's very cool that he coined a phrase

cubanpete's review against another edition

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It's funny how rereadings change perceptions. I still see Catch-22 as a brilliant book in many ways but the shine has certainly worn off. It's coming off my favourites list for its blatant sexism, I'm pretty sure there were racist moments in it too. What really rubbed me the wrong way (no pun intended) was the way
sexual assault - including rape - was portrayed as a great laugh
. Catch-22 still can be laugh-out-loud funny and the critique of state military/war is clever. However, for every book like this there are hundreds of great books waiting to be published or noticed. It's time for this particular star of the canon to move over. I'm afraid I'm now older, less easily awed and more demanding.

malsterdot's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

bekatron3000's review against another edition

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dark 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

4.25