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rudzmaksim's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-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
4.0
chloekimpton's review against another edition
4.5
A novel deserving of its reputation.
Be prepared for the long haul if you have trouble concentrating, no sentence can be skipped.
Be prepared for the long haul if you have trouble concentrating, no sentence can be skipped.
larywrites's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
raygersh's review against another edition
4.0
Catch-22 often finds itself atop lists of the most commonly started and not finished books ever, like this one. I get it. I, myself, picked up this book in 2014ish, read a couple of chapters and thought, hmm, maybe for another time. Well, you can only avoid the TBRs that stare you down for so long, so I thought it was time to pick it back up and truly, I am glad that I did. It was an enjoyable, nonsensical ride.
If you also have found yourself in the position of having picked this book up and are wondering if the book is worth finishing, I have a couple of questions for you. Do you appreciate good satire? If yes, absolutely finish the book. Have you found yourself picking this up just to understand what exactly a catch-22 is? If so, just google it. Did you enjoy the first chapter or loathe the strange quirkiness of the characters and writing style? If you did not like the beginning of Catch-22, then you WILL NOT like the rest of it. The entire novel is comprised of ludicrous situations, absurd dialogue, and a very specific brand of humor. Joseph Heller does not ease you into this—the ridiculousness begins on page 1 and simply never ends. I have to respect him for that.
The novel is strangely long, which doesn’t help a reader who is just trying to get through it. It also reads sort of like a series of sketches and short stories involving the large cast of characters. But the more that you get to know these quirky characters, the more you grow to enjoy their foibles and crazy antics.
Overall: a brilliant and humorous satire, despite how totally bizarre and long-winded it can be.
If you also have found yourself in the position of having picked this book up and are wondering if the book is worth finishing, I have a couple of questions for you. Do you appreciate good satire? If yes, absolutely finish the book. Have you found yourself picking this up just to understand what exactly a catch-22 is? If so, just google it. Did you enjoy the first chapter or loathe the strange quirkiness of the characters and writing style? If you did not like the beginning of Catch-22, then you WILL NOT like the rest of it. The entire novel is comprised of ludicrous situations, absurd dialogue, and a very specific brand of humor. Joseph Heller does not ease you into this—the ridiculousness begins on page 1 and simply never ends. I have to respect him for that.
The novel is strangely long, which doesn’t help a reader who is just trying to get through it. It also reads sort of like a series of sketches and short stories involving the large cast of characters. But the more that you get to know these quirky characters, the more you grow to enjoy their foibles and crazy antics.
Overall: a brilliant and humorous satire, despite how totally bizarre and long-winded it can be.
mikaylasky's review against another edition
4.0
Not necessarily my kind of read, but I can see why it is so impactful and well-loved.
stumpnugget's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know what I missed with this classic book. I thought it was a rambling mess with nary a character that I cared anything for. I trust that there's something great about it because it is universally acclaimed, but I missed it.
dom_jones's review against another edition
5.0
Emotive and comic in equal measure.
I can now use ‘catch 22’ correctly.
I can now use ‘catch 22’ correctly.