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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
This is like if Franz Kafka wrote a war novel and had a sense of humor. It got all muddled and confusing and wrapped up in bureaucratic or militaristic chain-of-command red tape which makes the whole business of military and war look like a big stupid chaotic mess, which it is, and there's something hilarious and tragic in that
Don't judge me but I think of this book as one of the most overrated I've ever read. Sorry. (only I'm not at all sorry)
From The Great American Read #GreatReadsPBS 2018
http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/books/#/
http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/books/#/
Some of the most interesting characters of any book period. The type of book that feels fun to write, giving each character a ridiculous paradox. Was a little tough to follow at times with so many characters popping up but hey, enjoyable ride for the most part.
"[Dunbar] was lying motionless on his back again with his eyes staring up at the ceiling like a doll's. He was working hard at increasing his life span. He did it by cultivating boredom. Dunbar was working so hard at increasing his life span, Yossarian thought he was dead." pg. 9
"Yossarian was a lead bombardier who had been demoted because he no longer gave a damn whether he missed or not. He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt..." pg. 29
One of my favorite characters was Colonel Cargill - someone who prided himself on his ability to be a complete failure. Companies would hire him to run it into the ground for tax write offs, some genius lines from this guy. "'Men,' Colonel Cargill began in Yossarian's squadron, measuring his pauses carefully. 'You're American officers. The officers of no other army in the world can make that statement. Think about it'"... 'It had made him proud to observe that twenty-nine months in the service had not blunted his genius for ineptitude" (pgs 27-28). He is full of lines that mean nothing or completely conflict with each other. Greatness
"Doc Daneeka was Yossarian's friend and would do just about nothing in his power to help him" pg. 28.
"'Well, maybe it is true,' Clevinger conceded unwillingly in a subdued tone. 'Maybe a long life does have to be filled with many unpleasant conditions if it's to seem long. But in that event, who wants one?'
'I do,' Dunbar told him.
'Why?' Clevinger asked.
'What else is there?'" pg. 39
"'Why does he want to be a general?' [asked Yossarian]
'Why? For the same reason I want to be a colonel. What else have we got to do? Everyone teaches us to aspire to higher things. A general is higher than a colonel, and a colonel is higher than a lieutenant colonel. [responded Colonel Korn]'" pg. 425
Great conversation between Danby and Yossarian at the end about what they're fighting for and why.
Overall, enjoyable. Many fun little bits intertwined into a character driven story. Some parts were a bit of a slog but the genius writing makes up for it. 3.65/5
"[Dunbar] was lying motionless on his back again with his eyes staring up at the ceiling like a doll's. He was working hard at increasing his life span. He did it by cultivating boredom. Dunbar was working so hard at increasing his life span, Yossarian thought he was dead." pg. 9
"Yossarian was a lead bombardier who had been demoted because he no longer gave a damn whether he missed or not. He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt..." pg. 29
One of my favorite characters was Colonel Cargill - someone who prided himself on his ability to be a complete failure. Companies would hire him to run it into the ground for tax write offs, some genius lines from this guy. "'Men,' Colonel Cargill began in Yossarian's squadron, measuring his pauses carefully. 'You're American officers. The officers of no other army in the world can make that statement. Think about it'"... 'It had made him proud to observe that twenty-nine months in the service had not blunted his genius for ineptitude" (pgs 27-28). He is full of lines that mean nothing or completely conflict with each other. Greatness
"Doc Daneeka was Yossarian's friend and would do just about nothing in his power to help him" pg. 28.
"'Well, maybe it is true,' Clevinger conceded unwillingly in a subdued tone. 'Maybe a long life does have to be filled with many unpleasant conditions if it's to seem long. But in that event, who wants one?'
'I do,' Dunbar told him.
'Why?' Clevinger asked.
'What else is there?'" pg. 39
"'Why does he want to be a general?' [asked Yossarian]
'Why? For the same reason I want to be a colonel. What else have we got to do? Everyone teaches us to aspire to higher things. A general is higher than a colonel, and a colonel is higher than a lieutenant colonel. [responded Colonel Korn]'" pg. 425
Great conversation between Danby and Yossarian at the end about what they're fighting for and why.
Overall, enjoyable. Many fun little bits intertwined into a character driven story. Some parts were a bit of a slog but the genius writing makes up for it. 3.65/5
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes