Just finished reading: Catch-22

There's a part of me who quite likes the old man in Rome, who has no beliefs of his own, but who adopts the conventions of whatever party is in power - scary, but he reminds me of me (and also reminds me of Lewis' Babbit).

And yes, I agree with the initial trial episode - and found myself laughing about everything happening in the hospital (with the censoring of letters and signing Washington Irving and Irving Washington and so forth).

There are some strong images that have stayed with me - especially the character who is killed by the low-flying plane and his lower torso and legs standing still for a minute, before falling over - and, of course, Yossarian refusing to wear his uniform and being in the tree. And sometimes I say "Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?" when I'm in a reflective and nostalgic mood.

Have you seen the movie of the same name? I was pleasantly surprised by it, though the startling words of the novel I feel are more powerful.

Boring trivia of the day: It was going to be called Catch 18 but was scheduled for release in the same week as Leon Uris' Stalag-18. Heller did a last minute change.

Means that SOMEONE at the publishers who earned VERY LITTLE money and EVEN LESS respect had to GO THROUGH THE WHOLE DAMN BOOK WITH A BLUE PENCIL. FUCKERS.

(x-post, the film is a terrible adaptation of the book - Heller's dialogue just isn't filmic - but it's a very, very good movie. there's a dvd with an enjoyably film geeky soderbergh/nichols commentary. nichols is very modest about the film, but it's filled with stunning set pieces -- it stands the test of time much better than MASH)

This is the only book I can recall reading that actually made me laugh out loud. My favorite part was the strange moaning incident at the Avignon briefing, which was set up perfectly a few pages before by the Colonel's list of "black eyes." Yossarian accepting a medal naked also had me in stitches.

I had been cautioned by a few people that it was hard to get into, but I didn't think so at all. I was hooked from the moment Yossarian censored one of the letters and wrote "I long for you tragically" and signed the Chaplain's name. All in all I was pretty impressed.

that's actually the only thing i remember.

ilx hasn't much on heller/catch-22

Incredible novel, my all-time #2. The ne plus ultra of tragicomedy, as the first poster says the situations are completely and despairingly believable despite their ridiculousness. An amazing and varied cast of characters who live up to their fantastical names - Chief White Halfoat, Captain Aardvark, Major _____ de Coverly, Milo Minderbinder, Lieutenant Scheisskopf, and of course Major Major Major Major. I love the way the titular catch goes from being the famously paradoxical but limited piece of regulation to an omnipresent and almost sacred justification for the forces in power to do whatever the fuck they like.

Far and away his best work imo, although I like the idea that after coining a phrase with the title, he figured obviously that wasn't going to happen again, so instead used already well-worn phrases for all of the rest of his titles.

what's your #1, i will read immediately

Ishiguro's The Unconsoled. Not dissimilar, from a certain angle - something like a flipside of it. More tragic with a comic edge, where Catch-22 might emphasise the comedy, and flat-out absurd situations with a ring of truth (it's basically a kind of dream-narrative) where Catch-22 is realistic situations with an absurdist spin.

Far and away his best work imo

a bit strong perhaps. i read all the others as part of an a-level english project and enjoyed them all, he definitely maintained a strong sense of invention and humour. might give them a go again.

the only other work of his i've tried is god knows, which was wryly funny as opposed to the riots of c-22, but still enjoyed it.

lol just remembered, I once memorised a page-long antitheistic screed from it to reproduce in a philosophy of religion exam in lol college. Why in the world did He ever create pain?

i have a similar story but it was regarding intellectual copyrights, i was quoting silent bob and it didn't hold up to cross examination tbph

my son (15) just read C-22 in school, not sure how much he got out of it but an interesting choice for high school I thought

a really good choice, but 15 is young alright. Even a fairly bright 15 year old would probably find it dense going at times.

I read it when I was 17. Its still one of my favourites. You should read "Something Happened!", Darragh. It is quite depressing though.

yeah, it's on the shelf for when i get time.

i think i was 16 and this was the BEST BOOK EVER.

"good as gold" is decent as well. very similar style of humour to "catch 22"

Need to read more Heller--only read Catch-22 and Portrait of the Artist as an Old Man -- his 1st and last books, I now realise, and nowt in between

bought this for the third time recently, still not read it lol