boo_king_it 's review for:

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

4.5

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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While I usually avoid “war books,” this is a book about much more than war. Even 60 years after it was published, its themes and critiques are still relevant. You can always find a Catch 22. Although women were portrayed poorly and as objects in the novel, it spoke more to the contradiction of male attitudes and actions towards women rather than their intrinsic value. Yossarian is both a lovable and disposable character that you somehow find yourself deeply understanding at the end of the novel. While there is no traditional happy ending, this book leaves you contemplating everything and finding Catch 22 all around you. It challenges you to critically analyze the systems and people around you. Human spirit and preserverence will prevail and restore hope for a better life.