I can't get past the first two chapters - is it worth pushing through?!

[Dana]

If you're having trouble that early, don't worry - seriously, it took me about 80 pages to get comfortable with this book to a real degree. But once I reached that stage, I loved it. I read the last 200 pages in a day. It's one of my all time favorites - intensely human, and still very relatable today. A must read, even if it is bewildering at first.

[Jyotirmoy]

The book is amusing throughout. Read it through and slowly grasping every situation and dialogue perfectly.

[Thom]

This is a book made for multiple readings. Each time you discover something new.

[James]

This is one of those books which changes you, opens your eyes and makes you see how subjective and ridiculous the world really is. It's twenty years since I read it but the lesson remains.

[Thom]

I totally agree!

[Peter]

yes. although watching the movie may be just as good.

[Albert]

James A wrote: "This is one of those books which changes you, opens your eyes and makes you see how subjective and ridiculous the world really is. It's twenty years since I read it but the lesson remains."

Right. I suggest everyone read the paragraph on page 84 that begins...ends: "He was polite to his elders, who disliked him...Major Major's elders disliked him because he was such a flagrant nonconformist."

Absurd and ridiculous is right—and it's funny.

[Carole J.]

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..."

[Carole J.]

In a word, YES!

[Thom]

As with most books and movies, the book wins out. This is a one off masterpiece; never to be equaled. If more stars were allowed, this book would be a perfect ten.

[Ken]

I read Catch 22 years ago, and I'm now inclined to read it again. At first I felt as if I were wading through it, but by the end I was swimming, and loving it.

[Colleen]

Absolutely!

[Andrew]

this book was the longest undertaking I have ever persude in reading. it literally took me 3 years to finish this book.
I picked it up shortly before 9/11 and read a little but it didnt hold my interest at the time.
When I picked it up later to finish, I would get frustrated and throw the book across the room, because everything I was reading happening in the book, I was watching happening for real.
Some of the situations were just beyond stupid and you'd think could never happen, but then I'd watch the news or pick up a paper and be reading it.

[Tom]

It depends on your point of view. When I was in the Navy, we used to open the book to random pages, start reading, and would then dissolve into laughter. Heller captures the absurd situations a group of people in the military in time of war encounter, compounded by how bureaucracies can confound logic and literally drive people crazy. Steven Ambrose once interviewed Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut on PBS for an hour. It is well worth watching. In it, Heller described the true situations that were the bases for the seemingly impossible situations that unfold in the book. Milo Minderbinder, the unit's supply and mess officer, played by John Voight in the movie, was one of my favorite characters. His back channel dealing throughout the Mediterranean Theater to obtain food and other items leads to hilarious outcomes.

[Karen]

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..."

Listen to it in audio! Audible.com has a superb reading of it! And yes, it's worth it!

[Lorene]

I didn't read all the comments, so I'm not sure if anyone suggested listening to the book. Years ago I played the CDs on my way to work - pretty hilarious. But I think I would have had trouble trying to read it.

[W.]

I think others have suggested listening to it already...and it's definitely a good idea.

I actually prefer Joseph Heller's other book on David. God Knows Much more concise and LOL funny, especially if you know the Bible...

[Karen]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've just gotten Something Happened, recommended in another book I was reading - hope to get to that before too long.

[W.]

Karen wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation. I've just gotten Something Happened, recommended in another book I was reading - hope to get to that before too long."

And now I'm intrigued about Something Happened :) I love this part of Goodreads, getting book recommendations.

[Darren]

I tried reading Catch 22 after my girlfriend really enjoyed it, I did not manage any further than about the tenth page. I found it to be overly satirical to the point where it was difficult to read.
On a another note I later found out that my uncle in his Uni days burnt a copy of Catch 22. Ironically he went on to become a English Teacher at a Grammar School :D

[Sandra]

I really liked this novel and agree with all of the people who rated it a 4 star. Stick with it.

[Erma]

W. wrote: "I actually prefer Joseph Heller's other book on David. God Knows Much more concise and LOL..."

Just put it on my To Read list. Thanks! Nice thing about conversations here - books lead to more books... Now to find time to actually read them all!

[Lawrence]

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 well worth it, this book is a classic and one of the best military books i've ever read as long as a great mystery and suspense.

Larry A

[Lawrence]

this book is an all-time classic wartime military book written by somebody who was there. I rate it five stars.

Larry A

[Daniel]

Only if you like funny and smart books.

[Sandra]

Daniel wrote: "Only if you like funny and smart books."

Couldn't agree more !!!!!!

[Lawrence]

I compare it to Mailers "The Naked and the Dead" and Solzhenitsyn's "One day in the life of Ivan Denisovitch." I like military books, read a lot of them, just read "Semper-Fi-do-or-die" twice. Good book, 5 stars. I also like police procedural, Raymond Chandler, Joe Wambaugh, those guys.

Larry A

[Elliott]

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 took me a month to read this book, it's not that much longer than books I could easily read in a few days. But it's now one of my most treasured books and the knowledge I've accumulated from reading it knows no bounds!
The whole book doesn't make sense- it's not meant to!- it's meant to be hella confusing until the last chapter when the whole book blows your mind and each weird little thing falls perfectly into place.
If your not interested in figuring books out and the literary ways that they pull together then it's not the book for you. But believe me, I found this book an absolute wonder once I'd read it!

[Karen]

Elloise 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..."

Elloise 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..."

Nice comment!

[Karen]

Elloise 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..."

Elloise 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..."

Nice comment!

[Randy]

I've long advocated that anyone who needs to understand bureaucracy and its associated political struggles should read this book. Not as a guide, but as a way to understand the "through the looking glass" world.

[Rachel]

Absolutely yes. Some of the things that seem unimportant will come around and have impact.

[Michael]

You have to love Major Major Major, who only receives visitor's in his office when he is not in his office.

[Lawrence]

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..."

Just curious but did you ever finish it? They made a great movie out of this book also.

[Sara]

I also found it hard to get into but persevered and loved it. The characters and ideas, the atmosphere and the history make it compelling. I was so glad I carried on.

[M]

Did you finish it?

[Lewis]

It takes time to get into the spirit and pace of the book, and it is not an easy read, but by all means push on through. It is humorous, ironic and a very black look at the minds that go into the making of war.

[Thom]

The first time I read Catch 22 I was in Vietnam and the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness wasn’t far removed. I have often stated in the years since then that this book saved both my life and sanity. It put war and the military institution in perspective. In my opinion it is the single best book ever written.

[Karen]

Thom wrote: "The first time I read Catch 22 I was in Vietnam and the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness wasn’t far removed. I have often stated in the years since then that this book saved both my life an..."

Great comment!

[Edward]

Karen, keep reading. It is one of the best books I have ever read. It is dry humor and a constant LOL. Unbelievable that such a serious book can also be very funny.

[Karen]

I did finish it (as an audio book) and enjoyed it! (Discussion was started by Rebecca.)

[Jerry]

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 first read this book in my twenties and thought it was hilarious. I went back many years later and thought, "Why did I think this was funny?" Maybe you had to be there.

[Joshua]

I stopped at about 40% of the way through. I found it far too repetitious. What started out a funny irony/contradictions became old and tired very quickly for me. I felt that the story was going nowhere, just reusing the same schtick over and over again for a laugh. It drove me to boredom and annoyance. I put it down, maybe I'll pick it up later in life.

[Karen]

Joshua wrote: "I stopped at about 40% of the way through. I found it far too repetitious. What started out a funny irony/contradictions became old and tired very quickly for me. I felt that the story was goin..."

Again - you may want to consider listening to it in audio. Worked for me, anyway.

[Bart]

The language is definitely difficult, and I struggled with it; I think that's what made it difficult to follow initially. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of it, but in my opinion it was definitely worth it, once I got over my issues with the language.

But if it doesn't get better by about halfway, don't be afraid to put it down either. No need in forcing yourself to read a book that you don't dig.

Hope you enjoy!

Bart

[Lawrence]

Karen wrote: "Joshua wrote: "I stopped at about 40% of the way through. I found it far too repetitious. What started out a funny irony/contradictions became old and tired very quickly for me. I felt that the..."

If Joshua stopped 40% through he is beyond help for this type of book; he needs to read knitting books.

[Sakshi]

No....It drags

[Yadvendra]

You need to have been in uniform to love this book. It's like a doctor trying to enjoy a book on advanced applied physics. It happens very rarely.

[Janelle]

Jerry 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..."

I did the exact same thing. If this was a short story would be all about it, but it makes it's point and then draaaags.
But that's my opinion. Some people like this type and some don't. I get that some people see hilarious truth in this book. I don't. I think the mud-slinging aimed at those of us who don't prefer it is silly.

[Linda]

Oh, yes, it was one of my all-time favorite books.