Catch-22 - Pre-Read

[Joanna Loves Reading]

This is the discussion thread for the July 2019 Classics group read Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.

*Spoilers are not allowed!* Please see the SPOILERS thread for the spoiler discussion.

Who plans to join this read? Will it be your first time or a reread? What's drawing you to this book?

[Betsy]

My dad (and many other people) always said "that's a catch-22" and I never knew where it came from. Recently we were talking and he said to me he's got to read the book where this most commonly used phrase comes from. So, in his stead, and honour, I'll be giving this classic a go.

[Edmund]

Betsy wrote: "My dad (and many other people) always said "that's a catch-22" and I never knew where it came from. Recently we were talking and he said to me he's got to read the book where this most commonly use..."

Same! I keep hearing it, so I can't wait to learn what the phrase is all about.

[Lensey]

Ok, so I'm to chapter 4 and just cannot get into this book!! Is anyone else having that difficulty?? Obviously, I'm going to continue trudging along, but I'm just wondering if I'm the only one struggling...

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I loved this book, but it is a little post-modern in style.

[Jennifer]

Edmund wrote: "Betsy wrote: "My dad (and many other people) always said "that's a catch-22" and I never knew where it came from. Recently we were talking and he said to me he's got to read the book where this mos..."

Betsy and Edmund this is such a great reason to read many of the old books. This light bulb moment happened for me with Catch 22 and later when I read 1984.

Unlike aPril, I didn’t enjoy the book when I read it. It’s a odd one. But I continue to think about it. I’ve learned that can happen for me with books. I guess immediate enjoyment and long term appreciation are different.

[Tori]

Jennifer wrote: I didn’t enjoy the book when I read it. It’s a odd one. But I continue to think about it. I’ve learned that can happen for me with books. I guess immediate enjoyment and long term appreciation are different. "

I know exactly what you mean! The Sun Also Rises was that way for me. I didn't enjoy reading it, but I think about it often. It is so interesting books can have that effect on us!

[Tori]

I'm only about 50 pages in, but I am struggling with this. I really enjoy atmospheric/world building books. So far this has not only been character driven, but also is very much so dialogue driven. It is unique, but I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet.

I'm also having a hard time because while I think the jokes are funny, it is hard to read this as a light comedy when the setting is so serious and upsetting.

[♛primadonna♛]

I watched the Hulu Miniseries and now I really wanna read the book! It seems, from the reviews from my friends, that you either love it or hate it. I really hope I'm in the former category!

[Storm]

I am pausing this book and may come back later. My free time to read is limited right now, and this just isn't holding my attention. I'd rather focus on books I find more interesting and read this later when I have time to enjoy it.

[Betsy]

I have to agree with Tori and Storm at the moment: it's not holding my attention, or at least, I'm finding it difficult to stay focused.

Jennifer, what you said is really important and helped me understand a bit about why I'm finding this a difficult read.

[Rose]

I found getting into the book quite difficult but I watched a few episodes of the new Channel 4 adaptation with George Clooney and it helped me organise the timeline and who was who and now I’m enjoying the book a whole lot more.
Don’t worry I didn’t watch all the series so I don’t know the ending so happy to keep reading.

[Betsy]

I wonder if watching it will help me get in the mood - or will just tilt me over the edge of abandoning the book with glee. Thanks for the idea Rose :)

[Kirsten]

Just stumbled across a BBC World Service podcast on the subject:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3cs...

Only 9 minutes long

Description
Joseph Heller's funny, tragic satirical anti-war novel was published in 1961 and sold millions. For many it epitomised the growing anti-establishment mood of the 1960s. Heller had served in a bomber squadron during World War Two. Though his experiences provide the setting for the book, its target was actually the America of the 1950s. Using interviews with the author from the BBC archive, Alex Last tells the story behind Catch-22.

[Renata]

Hello Readers!
This is the Pre-Read thread for the May 2021 Catch-up selection. This month we will be reading Catch-22 by Joseph Heller for the 2nd time.

Please note that this is a SPOILER FREE discussion.

Who's planning to join in on this read? What are your expectations in picking this book up?

[Victoria]

Yay! I have been meaning to read this book for years. Not sure if I'll enjoy it, but I just want to be in the know of such a commonly used expression in pop culture.

[Vicka]

This book has been in my to-read list since like forever, really glad I'll be able to push through thanks to the challenge

[Marissa]

i’ll be joining this read! started reading this book a few years ago with my dad but we both stopped at like page 80 because... we hated it. cheers to a second try haha

[Lindsay]

Has been on my list for a long time and will be the first time I read it- excited for the discussion!

[Frezita]

Looking forward to reading this book as a group!

[Li]

I have this book on my bookshelf, so I will take this opportunity to read this book with the group. But I see that there were not many enthusiastic posts from the 2019 group read, which doesn't augur well. I'm already mentally prepared for a challenging read that requires staying power to complete.

[Nidhi]

I am at 30% of this book and I like it. It’s challenging because of war theme and describes human psychology at war time, I just finished Demons by Dostoevsky, so I am mentally prepared for more unfathomable human psychology.

[Malola]

Hi, guys.
I'm Malola. I'm Ecuadorian. I want to join this!
Nice meeting you. <3

[Li]

I didn't get the meaning of the following. If anyone has reached the chapter and knows what they mean, I'd appreciate some enlightenment. They relate to chapter 4 and 13. I don't think they constitute spoilers, but just in case, I'm putting a spoiler alert:

(view spoiler)[

1, chapter 4: "How was trump at Munich?"

I don't know what trump refers to here.

2, chapter 13: "To the men in the squadron, Major _ de Coverley was a colossus, although they never dared tell him so."

What is the reason that the men in the squadon dared not tell Major _ de Coverley that he was a colossus? Is it because colossus implies 'one-eyed man'? (I can't find such definition in my dictionary to support this) (hide spoiler)]

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Li wrote: "I didn't get the meaning of the following. If anyone has reached the chapter and knows what they mean, I'd appreciate some enlightenment. They relate to chapter 4 and 13. I don't think they constit..."

I tried to think out the answer and wrote a comment in the spoiler comments.

; )

[Li]

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "Li wrote: "I didn't get the meaning of the following. If anyone has reached the chapter and knows what they mean, I'd appreciate some enlightenment. They relate to chapter 4 and 13. I don't think t..."
Thank you aPriL.

[Newly]

Is anyone still reading this book because I would love to read this again. I'll just read to chapter 5. Wait if I remember correctly this is multi Point of view and divided accordingly. So i guess I'll check back when I'm 100 pages in.