Catch-22
by Joseph Heller · first published 1961
45% recommend55% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Hilarious wartime satire that shows how military bureaucracy and large organizations really work, from censors to absurd rules. Suits readers wanting a funny, darkly absurd novel about war beyond the textbook view.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Catch-22 is like no other novel. It has its own rationale, its own extraordinary character. It moves back and forth from hilarity to horror. It is outrageously funny and strangely affecting. It is totally original. Set in the closing months of World War II in an American bomber squadron off Italy, Catch-22 is the story of a bombardier named Yossarian, who is frantic and furious because thousands of people he hasn't even met keep trying to kill him. Catch-22 is a microcosm of the twentieth-century world as it might look to someone dangerously sane. It is a novel that lives and moves and g
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…over a year. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. In addition to the primary themes on class, race, and the killing of innocents, it has an interesting thread on living with your own moral code. "Catch 22" by Joseph Heller. Ostensibly a satire of the military, this is a good self-reflection on the American soul (circa 1961). "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!". The life of a Nobel winning physicist and…
on “Ask HN: Good books?” ↗…sequel The Wise Man's Fear. The latter two have rather bad writing and TERRIBLE female characters, but the story is extremely engrossing anyway and some of the ideas are really original (the Cthaeh!). Catch-22 was an amazing read as well. Watership Down, After Dark, The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, and Blood Meridian all dazzled me. Oh, and The Sandman, Watchmen,…
on “Ask HN: What are some must read books?” ↗…ever read, albeit with the most embarassing title. As inklesspen mentioned, Elements of Style is a must. Code Complete and the Mythical Man Month by Fred Brooks. Timeless coding wisdom. For a laugh, Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, or Hitchhiker's Guide. Body Language, Julius Fast. Kitschy but fascinating insights into body language. Fabric of the Cosmos, Brian Greene. Brian is a fluke of nature--a physicist…
on “What books would you recommend reading? Why?” ↗I've been reading "Catch 22" by Joseph Heller and have been amazed by how hilarious it is. Also recently finished "Life" by Keith Richards which was also very entertaining.
on “Ask HN: Best non-technical book you've read lately? ” ↗…World) by Neal Stephenson - The Invisibles by Grant Morrison - Incerto (Fooled by Randomness, The Black Swan, Antifragile, The Bed of Procrustes) by Nassim Nicholas Taleb - Iron John by Robert Bly - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller - The Character of Physical Law by Richard P. Feynman - Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges - 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Pharmakon by Dale Pendell - The…
on “Ask HN: What books fundamentally changed the way you think about the world?” ↗…funny but also the back story to how it got published is both sad and interesting. ...and if I can pick a second book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance by Robert M. Pirsig. ...and a third: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
on “Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?” ↗…Theater as subordinates. Thus it would've been purely a military censor in charge of allowing or disallowing publication. One of my favorite passages about military censors comes from that awesome book "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller where Yossarian ends up in a position where he must censor correspondence leaving their camp and he gets pretty inventive with his methodology. The whole book is hilarious if you have…
on “Alternate History: Robert Capa on D-Day (2019)” ↗"House of Leaves" by Mark Z Danielewski and Catch-22 by Josepf Heller
on “Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books.” ↗Many apparently wondering where the lit reference was from. It is the farmer in a book called Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. You've probably already read this book, if not, yeah, check it out!
…Instead I'd have to settle for some good fiction. Going back in time to around 12-16, I'd send one of: * Brave New World - Aldous Huxley * 1984 - George Orwell * To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee * Catch 22 - Joe Heller * Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut * Of Mice and Men - Steinbeck * Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury * The Call of Ctulhu - H.P. Lovecraft * Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card Some of those…
on “If you could give a book to your younger self, what would it be?” ↗…Burmese Days - George Orwell - http://www.amazon.com/Burmese-Days-Novel-George-Orwell/dp/01... The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway - http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Also-Rises-Ernest-Hemingway/dp/074... Catch 22 - Joe Heller - http://www.amazon.com/Catch-22-50th-Anniversary-Joseph-Helle... The Road - Cormac McCarthy - http://www.amazon.com/Road-Oprahs-Book-Club/dp/0307387895 To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee…
on “Ask HN: Book recommendations?” ↗2 that I've given and reread myself a few times would be: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien
on “Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?” ↗Lots, I guess highlights would be... Pavane by Keith Roberts The Spire by William Golding Running Man by Stephen King Catch 22 by Joseph Heller Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗beautiful boy - david sheff crime and punishment - fyodor dostoevsky the trial - franz kafka catch-22 - joseph heller how to win friends and influence people - dale carnegie mindset: the new psychology of success - carol dweck I really enjoy novels a lot more than self-help and business books, but…
on “Ask HN: What books have most influenced the way you see the world?” ↗Catch 22. - I can re-read that over and over laughing at the silliness of their situation. Also If you enjoyed Catch I recommend Vernon God Little
on “Ask HN: What is your comfort book?” ↗