Catch-22 chapters 1-14

[Jenn, moderator]

Sorry this is late getting out. Please discuss chapters 1-14 of Catch-22.

[Deborah]

I'm finding the book as a whole hard to get into, although there are some very funny passages. A lot of the dialogue reminds me of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" routine.

[Brandon]

I definitely understand what you mean Deborah. There isn't much plot to speak of but for the most part Yosaarian's funny observations are keeping me going. Heller's writing reminds me so much of Vonnegut (my favorite author) that I can't help but enjoy it!

[Phil]

Catch 22 is probably the only novel that's consistently been in my top 5 novels of all time. It's just an incredible piece of work.

[Phil]

what's also odd is that the title was originally going to be Catch 18, but there was another book about the war by the established writer Leon Uris about to be published called "Mila 18", so Heller had to change it at the publisher's request.

Do people think that we'd be talking about a Catch 18 situation now had it gone ahead as planned or was this change of title a supremely happy accident?

[Brandon]

That is a very interesting point Phil. My copy has an introduction that goes into this a little bit. In my opinion, it's the ridiculousness of the Catch and not the numbering that makes it so memorable.

[Phil]

True - but Catch 22 is now part of the language and I'm not sure whether Catch 18 would have slid off the tongue so easily.

Plus, in a book that abounds with reflections and doubles and repetitions (Major Major Major Major, for example), the number 22 was a superb choice.

[Brandon]

I couldn't agree with you more Phil! The simple fact that the phrase is still in common use today shows how relevant the book is today. At least in my opinion.

[Nicqui]

I didn't realize that this was the group read for this month. I'm going to start it and see how far I can get before the month ends. I will be honest, I don't really know what the book is about.

[Lauren]

Brandon wrote: "I definitely understand what you mean Deborah. There isn't much plot to speak of but for the most part Yosaarian's funny observations are keeping me going. Heller's writing reminds me so much of Vo..."

Vonnegut seems to do the opposite for me as he does for you, Brandon. I found myself struggling to get through his book when I read it in my English class last year. Although I like what both authors are trying to say about war, I don't really like their writing styles. I think I'll have a very hard time getting through this book...

[Brandon]

I definitely understand your view on Vonnegut Lauren. He definitely seems to be an author people either love or hate!

[Lauren]

Brandon wrote: "I definitely understand your view on Vonnegut Lauren. He definitely seems to be an author people either love or hate!"

I really wish I could get into his books... I think he's a really great author and I agree with his messages about war but I don't like his writing style.

[Alana]

I didn't realize that about the number, how interesting! I think 22 was a much better choice, for the repetition, as you mentioned.

I'm listening to the audio for this and finding it witty and hilarious. My ex-husband was in the Army and I swear, not all of these crazy situations are as impossible as they sound!

I am finding it a bit confusing with the jumping back and forth in time, but that doesn't seem to be the point of the story, so it's not as distracting as it ordinarily might be to me. It's all about the characters, interactions, and absurdities.