Catch 22

[Bangkok]

I am trying again (for the umpteenth time) to read Catch 22.  I am not enjoying it at all, although I usually like offbeat humour and I feel I am at fault somehow.  The book sold millions of copies - help me understand why?

[daddyg]

Bangkok I am with you on this one. I too have tried umpteen times to get through it but I just can't. I have a pretty weird sense of humour but this is just gash. Not very helpful obviously but at least you're not alone!

[j2buttonsw]

It has been a while since I read it and I agree, it is not easy but I would say stick with it. Part of Joseph Heller's style is to continually review the same situtation over and over but from different people's point of view. The first few chapters are all Yossarian but then other characters and their perspectives are incorporated. By the end you will begine to love some characters (Major Major Major Major and Orr are the one I remember). In fact I might go and read it again. Thanks!

[Ray The Grey]

It is mainly due to the brilliant use of absurd situations (which occur during wars) and how they can be taken advantage of. The characters are all extremes with some of their responses/ideas bordering on genius.

It really is worth reading - absurdity, genius, satire, humour - with a real human feel.

[maxwellsmart]

am with Ray the Gray above ...loved it.....funniest /bizzare moments was were when the guy kept jumping out of his window to avoid meeting anyone in his office and the guy bombin their own lines after coming to an (almost understandable) agreement with the enemy.... might read it again .....

[archbishop]

Stick with it. It's worth it.

[jills]

we read it at school many years ago, and I loved it.  but I think what helped is that our English teacher showed us the film when we'd only had the book a couple of weeks....so those who were struggling to get through it, could get a sense of what was happening from the film, then complete the book relatively easily.  Maybe you could try this approach?  The film is pretty good, and does help make the book clearer.   I loved the book, well worth persevering.

[mycatis]

I am exactly the same with "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" just one of these things I guess

 

[AlFas]

I absolutely love Catch-22, but why do you keep trying to read it (umpteen times) if you don't like it?

If you haven't enjoyed the first 50 pages you certainly won't like the next 450, it doesn't suddenly change style. If it's not your thing don't worry about it, I suggest you put it down and start on something else. We can't all like the same things can we?

[Bangkok]

Thanks for your comments - I'll stick with it (read 50 pages on the plane tonight and it started making a little more sense).  Not going anywhere near James Joyce again though!