Joseph Heller, Catch-22 Review

Overall Rating

Hilarious and thought provoking.

None.

This is a superb book and a classic of American satire writing. It's basically an anti-war book which instead of being po-faced revels in the madness of war and the scams and immorality that are an essential part of it. An absolute joy to read with some brilliant characters, hilarious situations. The main character is called Yossarian, an outsider, and he is determined to stay alive. He has no allegiance to the military which is lampooned throughout. It says something that the title - CATCH 22, has entered the English language. Catch 22 is a policy in the book used to justify illogical actions by the army. Yossarian claims to be insane to escape the war but his leaders cite Catch 22 saying to claim to be insane to try and avoid the war is actually a sign of sanity.