Play Book Tag discussion

The protagonist, Capt. John Yossarian finds himself in the paradoxical Catch-22 rule. Yossarian is the bombadier on a B-25 based on an Italian island in the Mediterranean. The group commander keeps increasing the number of flights necessary to return home. As Yossarian nears the criteria, it is raised again. Yossarian decides to convince the flight surgeon that he is mentally ill since you can't fly with this diagnois. However, if one is declared insane because of fear of dying while flying in a war, you must be sane. Therefore, the Catch-22.

Essentially, this novel is about the absurdity of war. We are introduced to Yossarian's comrades in arms in various exaggerated chapters for each character. I found much of the dialogue reminiscent of Abbot and Costello routines. Some of my favorite characters besides Yossarian, are the Anabaptist chaplain and Major Major, who is only available in his office when he is out; therefore, never available in his office. There is also Milo Minderbender, former pilot, current mess officer, who establishes a company with both American and German investors, who make additional income through bartering deals across the Mediterranean.

As the stress begins to take its toll on the various crew members, their attempts to destress become more absurd. Heller's style is unique since much of the dialogue is repeated again, which only adds to its hilarity. The structure of the book seems chaotic, but so is war. Catch-22 may have been written over sixty years ago but it is still funny today.

It has been years since I read this and your review encourages me to pick up again. I am sure that in my younger days I missed a lot, or it went over my head. Thanks for sharing

I loved Catch 22. It is one of those rare books which I read twice.

I'm with JoAnne - need to read this again as I was definitely too young - in high school - to really appreciate this. I did like it then too.