Catch-22
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I can't get past the first two chapters - is it worth pushing through?!
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by
Kirk
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rated it 5 stars
Oct 02, 2013 02:05PM
If everyone thought this book was great, then you'd be crazy to think anything else.
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Kirk wrote: "If everyone thought this book was great, then you'd be crazy to think anything else."That's a pretty weak arguments, not everyone likes (or can read) most classics.
Think of things like Crime and Punishment which is a billion-page-long or shakespeare where you can't always understand.
You should like it if it makes you laugh, not because it's "Revered"
READ IT. whatever you do, just READ IT. it is a funny book, but after a period, you start to notice the absurdity and hypocrisy of the situations. And then it stops being fun. What I've learned from it is that war is hell. But given the right types of characters, war can be a funny hell
I read it while sitting in a missile launch complex and waiting for WWIII. I should say that I struggled through it, as it never held my interest. I can't remember much of the story, but I do remember the characters were not very authentic and that might be why I found it boring.
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."Hey just keep up with it........the humor is quite different.......the book is more about accidents in lives of characters......
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."It's really confusing at first, intentionally so, but it is socially relevant especially when it comes to politics and has quite a bit of humor in it as well. It's one of my favorites and if I had the time, I would re-read it many times over. This book is Satire at it's finest.
Took me a while to get into it as well. Stick with it - it's worth the ride. Once I got into the groove, I found myself laughing hysterically at times.
I've tried several times to read this. I have given up, it never worked for me.
YES!!!!! The first 50 pages are rough, but push through. it's worth it.
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."stay with it, it will pay off!!!!
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."You might try another couple of chapters but if you feel the same way then maybe it's just not for you. I hate to discourage anyone reading what I think is one of the greatest, funniest, sharpest of American novels but I think was hooked right away.
Rebecca, Don't beat yourself up over it. No book is a good fit for all people. There are too many suitable ones for a serious reader like you must be. I loved the book, but I had spent time in the service, and I could appreciate the inanity.Sometimes you just have to show a book who's boss and put it down. Who knows? You may pick it up later.
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."I guess it's worth it, Rebecca. I was very disappointed indeed with this book when I started to read it, but the last two or three chapters changed my mind (at least partly!).
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."
i thought it was worth it. i saw the movie when i first came out. i was a teenager then. now i've read the book forty some years later and now the movie makes sense. keep trying. breathe.
i thought it was worth it. i saw the movie when i first came out. i was a teenager then. now i've read the book forty some years later and now the movie makes sense. keep trying. breathe.
It kinda' makes the brain swirl at times, but one of the best books I have read. Amazing characters, think I may well go and read it for a third time. IT IS THAT GOOD!
Anybody that says this book is worth pushing through just to finish it for the sole purpose to finish it is a total disservice to any reader who loves reading books. In no shape or form is Catch-22 a page turner and everybody who has read it knows it. There are far too many characters and whole plot of the story just repeats it's self over and over and does not get any better, as it goes on and on.The whole point of the stupid story is that main character does not want to fly more missions that the point of book. He live at the end by escaping the war by a boat. There are funny parts but it's far and few but I wish people would stop with the bias and just admit how offensive it to degrade women in matter that was portrayed in the story. It is not edited to modern fiction works- where authors use breaks in changing the story in the same chapter- making the story confusing.
If you started reading the book and put it down to read a better book there is no reason to continue reading Catch-22. Find the books you like that interest you the most where the author pulls you into the story where you want to turn the page because the story is just so good. Don't read another chapter just to read it because someone on goodreads.com says push through it.
It is waist of your reading time if can't read one chapter in day for week and then putting it back on your reading list.
I think I'd have been in the same boat had I not listened to the Audible version. Someone else may have said that too (didn't read all these posts) but it worked for me. I got through "Atlas Shrugged" that way, too. Once I started getting Heller's humor I really enjoyed "Catch 22".
A critic once wrote that it is possible to remove any 100 pages from Catch-22 and still not miss a thing. That's true if a reader focuses only on an overall story line. However, pushing through as I did, focusing on language, scene, character, I found myself treated to ingenious humor as well as themes and points of view, especially futility, that I cannot forget. It's especially powerful given that this is a WW II setting, and a lot of such stories tend to glorify all aspects of that military history. Catch-22 is Heller's literary brilliance, but may not be what all readers are looking for.
Terrance wrote: "Scott wrote: "Anybody that says this book is worth pushing through just to finish it for the sole purpose to finish it is a total disservice to any reader who loves reading books. In no shape or fo..." I just love how you won't admit it but no women are portrayed as independent in my opinion and I'm entitled to it. The physical violence that takes place is what I was referring to. Just because a women is a whore doesn't mean she had to be beat up. What though the hell back in the day Domestic Violence was legal.
It took me two or three attempts to get into the book but Christ was I happy on the third try. It's a beautiful, funny, and terribly sad book. I would encourage you to put it down, give it a month, and then pick it up again. It is not only a good book but a great book and all's the pity we didn't learn a lesson from it and threw ourselves into Vietnam, and, later, Iraq and Afghanistan.
I did like some of the book I just hated how the book is not edited to modern fiction books
I always read a book even when I don't like it, but this book took me forever! I didn't care for the book at all, but I am the type of person who will struggle through something even if I don't like it. Hope you have better luck than I did.
Scott wrote: "Anybody that says this book is worth pushing through just to finish it for the sole purpose to finish it is a total disservice to any reader who loves reading books. In no shape or form is Catch-22..."
it's not a waist of time at all. and pushing through a book sometimes is like getting through anything you want but just feel like you're to distracted about...sometimes it's just do it and then you'll appreciate your effort.
it's not a waist of time at all. and pushing through a book sometimes is like getting through anything you want but just feel like you're to distracted about...sometimes it's just do it and then you'll appreciate your effort.
Donna wrote: "I believe this book was the basis for the TV show "Mash" (along obviously w a movie of the same title) that was popular in the 70's and lived on in syndication history."The writers of MASH were much more influenced by Vietnam than they were any book about WWII. For humor...well, they were already comedy writers; they didn't get their comedy from C22; they came up through the ranks in the traditional way. As for theme: MASH was set in the Korean War (Pacific theater) specifically to lampoon the Vietnam war. Donald Sutherland was cast on the strength of someone seeing him in 'the Dirty Dozen'. Alan Alda was cast to match Sutherland in the TV vehicle. But there is no way a TV show on CBS was going to outright lampoon WWII.
Mitali wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Does it get better? Is there something wrong with me? Is it worth pushing through to get to a more riveting storyline?"The answers to your questions: Yes, No, and Depends on your ..."
YMMV. I enjoyed it from the beginning right through. It does only get better and needs the end for its full impact, but I've always thought it was great.
Catch 22 is to me like the Bible is to the Pope. I first read this book in Vietnam and it didn’t only save my life but made me realize that war is semi-organized insanity and to try to look for logic is hopeless. I asked myself what brought people (barely out of their teens) to willingly and brutally kill complete strangers on the authority of other strangers. The only way to explain the hopelessness of war is through humor and this Joseph Heller did masterfully. I gave this book five stars simply because I couldn’t award it ten. I first read it in 1969 and have probably reread it every year since. If I was Catholic I would nominate Joseph Heller for sainthood!
Jack, What does YMMV mean?
I started this book twice and could not get into it but I guess the third times a charm. One day I decided to try again and picked it up and totally got into it and really enjoyed it. So I would say if it just is not working for you, to wait a year and who knows you might be ready. Once I read it I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."Yes, absolutely, although Heller's type of black humor does not appeal to everybody
fans of this kind of humor should choose Evelyn Waugh's Black Mischief
as their next reading selection
I am a firm believer not only in the fact that every book is not for everyone, but that a lot of times you have to read a book at the right time. I read Catch-22 for the first time in high school and enjoyed it, but I think there are a lot of sentiments in there that relate directly to adult experience. Also, the subject matter is not something that people can pick up at any time. It's war and even though there is a lot of humor in the book, there is a lot of sadness as well. That is what makes the book so special, but some books have to come to you before you can appreciate them.For what it's worth, this is my favorite book of all time.
Ray wrote: "I found Catch 22 an extremely good book to read many years ago. But I tried to read Lord of the Rings etc about 3 times and never got past page 2. I guess different people like different things."I'm with you Ray...........I have never understood what the big deal is about the Lord of the Rings.
Thom wrote: "Jack, What does YMMV mean?"Your Mileage May Vary.
I could not resist responding to: "I can't get past the first two chapters - is it worth pushing through?!"It has been decades since I read this book. I started it and read over 50 pages into the book and could not understand what was happening. For the first time in my life I went back to page one and began reading again. I was totally sucked in.
It looks like you have re-started already, though. Maybe I will try reading it again myself!
It has been many years since I read this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The movie is also very good. I think it is worthwhile to stick with it.
It seems that this is one of those rare books that the reader either loves it (five stars) or hates it (one star). There doesn't seem to be a middle ground...
I read half of it and got sick of it. I've given it one star.
Now I've read many of the answers here and see that this is almost anticipated! Looks like I gotta give it a second chance, someday..
Now I've read many of the answers here and see that this is almost anticipated! Looks like I gotta give it a second chance, someday..
That sounds like a good plan...
I really loved this book. I was confused at first, since it really loves to jump around in no particular order, but you get a strong idea of the correct chronological order about 2/3's through. Milo was probably my favorite character, just because what he does is so nonsensical. But then you sit and think about it for awhile and you realize, "God, there are people like him everywhere in this world." and then it isn't as funny as you first thought it was. Oh well, at least I'm getting eggs for five cents a piece.
Yes, funniest book I've ever read.
Chaz wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling eithe..."Chaz, I had the same experience as you did 30 years ago, I walked away, and have yet to walk back to it.
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I j..."I wound up listening to this on CD as I was driving to and from work (I live about 300 miles away). It took a while to get through, but it was definitely a fun one to listen to - it kept having me laughing as the reader changed voices for the characters.
Maybe it would be an easier read if you didn't have to read it? Try listening to a version, and see if you get any further that way... I found I enjoyed it!
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."One of my all-time favourites. Dark, insane, insightful, hilarious, brutal, and unique. Much as Yossarian fell in love with the chaplain at first sight, I was gripped from the first line. I'd suggest, if you're not, then you probably don't share a sense of humour in common with, or the quirk and slant of the author. I don't think any amount of perseverance will change that. I'd suggest you move onto something you find more enjoyable.
Twice I started and gave up on this book. Then I tried the audio version and it was wonderful! Now maybe I should try that with Slaughterhouse-Five....
Catch-22 is well worth reading. It shows the absurdity of war and how a sane person has to deal with insanity in order to survive war. My favorite character was Major Major and how he dodge any duty.
It is well worth reading. Heller’s command of vocabulary and rhythm is astounding, as his critique of human institutions and motives. But because so much of its humor comes from tricky word play using repetition, it can be difficult to read as text. I highly recommend the audio version performed by Jay O. Sanders published by HarperAudio; Caedmon 9780061262463. It's also available as a download from either eMusic or Amazon's Audible Audio Edition.
I agree, go audio first, then read.
I'd say stick with it. I do think you need a well developed sense of the absurd to to get the most out of the book but that is just my opinion
Rebecca wrote: "I'm an avid reader, and not shy of trickier reads, but I just cannot seem to get past the first two chapters of this book. I've tried twice now, and each time I'm left feeling either bored, confuse..."It is a difficult book to get into and to absorb. The first time I read it many years ago I enjoyed it. I read it because the name was used in describing different things and I wanted to know what saying something was CATCH-22 was all about. When I tried to reread it I couldn't finish it. I don't know if knowing what was coming made it too boring or what. Good luck.
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