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Joseph Heller's Catch-22
A guide to reading "Catch-22" with a critical and appreciative mind encouraging analysis of plot, style, form, and structure. Also includes background on the author's life and times, sample test, term paper suggestions, and a reading list.
114 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 15, 1988
37 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Walter James Miller
37 books7 followersWalter James Miller was an American literary critic, playwright, poet, translator and publisher. The author, co-author, editor and/or translator of more than sixty books, including four landmark annotated translations of novels by Jules Verne, Miller taught at Hofstra University, Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Colorado State University, and for over 40 years at New York University, where he created and taught a popular "Great Books" course. In 1980, he received the NYU Alumni Great Teacher Award. For fifteen years in the 1960s and 1970s, his Peabody Award-winning show Reader's Almanac was a fixture on WNYC, public radio in New York City, and broadcast interviews with many established and rising authors and poets, including Nadine Gordimer, Andrew Glaze, Allen Ginsberg, James Kirkwood Jr., William Packard, Sidney Offit, Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Steven Kunes. (A compilation of Miller's several interviews with Vonnegut was published by Caedmon Audio in 2006.) The author of two published collections of poetry (Making an Angel, 1977, Love's Mainland, 2001), Miller's verse drama Joseph in the Pit was produced off-Broadway in 1993 and 2002.
A pioneering figure of modern Jules Verne studies, Miller's 1965 Washington Square Press edition of Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas included both the first unabridged English translation of the novel and the first scholarly discussion of what he termed the problem of "the two Jules Vernes." European readers, Miller observed,
admire Verne for his attention to scientific method, his concern for technical accuracy, his ability to work wonders with authentic facts and figures.
But American readers have the impression that Verne is somewhat casual with basic data and arithmetic, even with the details of plot and character. Condescendingly, they think of the Voyages Extraordinary as "children's books." American science-fiction writers have clobbered Verne for his "vagueness" and for the "gaps" in his technical explanations.
Could they be talking about the same author?
The answer is tragically simple. Europeans read Verne in the original French or in good, full-length translations. Americans have based their opinions on slashed and slapdash versions rushed into print in the 1870s and reissued ever since as "standard" editions. Ironically, although Verne's books pay full tribute to American daring and know-how, Americans have never been able to judge the true nature and extent of Verne's genius.
Miller's analysis of the abridgment and mistranslation of Verne, and his call for accurate and complete English renderings, initiated a major reassessment by English-speaking critics of Verne's importance, and is credited with fostering the publication of numerous new English editions of Verne and the emergence of Verne studies as a serious academic discipline in the US and UK. Miller's scholarly editions of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1976), From the Earth to the Moon (1978), and (with Frederick Paul Walter) The Meteor Hunt (2006) were the first annotated editions of those novels in any language. His preface to the first English translation of Verne's The Mighty Orinoco (2002) has been described as the best critical commentary on this novel in French or English. A founding member of the North American Jules Verne Society and of the Editorial Board of Verniana – Jules Verne Studies / Etudes Jules Verne, in his later years Miller was a valued mentor to Verne scholars in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia.
Miller died before learning that the North American Jules Verne Society had decided to dedicate the fourth volume in its Palik Series of first-time Verne translations to him; the book dedicated to Miller, The Count of Chanteleine: A Tale of the French Revolution. Miller's last essay on Verne had appeared posthumously in the first vo
A pioneering figure of modern Jules Verne studies, Miller's 1965 Washington Square Press edition of Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas included both the first unabridged English translation of the novel and the first scholarly discussion of what he termed the problem of "the two Jules Vernes." European readers, Miller observed,
admire Verne for his attention to scientific method, his concern for technical accuracy, his ability to work wonders with authentic facts and figures.
But American readers have the impression that Verne is somewhat casual with basic data and arithmetic, even with the details of plot and character. Condescendingly, they think of the Voyages Extraordinary as "children's books." American science-fiction writers have clobbered Verne for his "vagueness" and for the "gaps" in his technical explanations.
Could they be talking about the same author?
The answer is tragically simple. Europeans read Verne in the original French or in good, full-length translations. Americans have based their opinions on slashed and slapdash versions rushed into print in the 1870s and reissued ever since as "standard" editions. Ironically, although Verne's books pay full tribute to American daring and know-how, Americans have never been able to judge the true nature and extent of Verne's genius.
Miller's analysis of the abridgment and mistranslation of Verne, and his call for accurate and complete English renderings, initiated a major reassessment by English-speaking critics of Verne's importance, and is credited with fostering the publication of numerous new English editions of Verne and the emergence of Verne studies as a serious academic discipline in the US and UK. Miller's scholarly editions of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1976), From the Earth to the Moon (1978), and (with Frederick Paul Walter) The Meteor Hunt (2006) were the first annotated editions of those novels in any language. His preface to the first English translation of Verne's The Mighty Orinoco (2002) has been described as the best critical commentary on this novel in French or English. A founding member of the North American Jules Verne Society and of the Editorial Board of Verniana – Jules Verne Studies / Etudes Jules Verne, in his later years Miller was a valued mentor to Verne scholars in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia.
Miller died before learning that the North American Jules Verne Society had decided to dedicate the fourth volume in its Palik Series of first-time Verne translations to him; the book dedicated to Miller, The Count of Chanteleine: A Tale of the French Revolution. Miller's last essay on Verne had appeared posthumously in the first vo
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 2, 2009
I had a revelation after reading this book. I could write a book on me reading this book. I can tie back nearly anything to this book not only because I like it so much, but because of the simple truths and humors it holds.
September 25, 2024
It was my dads favourite book so I thought I’d give it a try as it’s also a classic.
The characterisation and descriptions of people are the best in any book I’ve ever read, how the author comes up with these characters is truly a piece of art.
I thought at times some of the dialogue wasn’t necessary and sometimes you’re left reading pages of slow text waiting for something to happen, but that’s kind the point of the book - nothing really happens to any great matter. It is a description of the past and present, how crazy people get into crazy situations they don’t really know they got there but because they are in positions of power they go deeper into their insanity of lies.
The insanity of the characters, the war (as it’s based on WW2) and the corrupt bureaucracy of men in power represent the absurdities of war and of reality. The main character, Yossarian, is constantly labelled as insane by himself and everyone else, however he is the most sane out of anyone in the book.
The ending is great and it represents the freedom of intellect, how although all of these crazy people only really care about their crazy lives and don’t really have any authority, only power to presue a fake persona which no one really cares about.
The characterisation and descriptions of people are the best in any book I’ve ever read, how the author comes up with these characters is truly a piece of art.
I thought at times some of the dialogue wasn’t necessary and sometimes you’re left reading pages of slow text waiting for something to happen, but that’s kind the point of the book - nothing really happens to any great matter. It is a description of the past and present, how crazy people get into crazy situations they don’t really know they got there but because they are in positions of power they go deeper into their insanity of lies.
The insanity of the characters, the war (as it’s based on WW2) and the corrupt bureaucracy of men in power represent the absurdities of war and of reality. The main character, Yossarian, is constantly labelled as insane by himself and everyone else, however he is the most sane out of anyone in the book.
The ending is great and it represents the freedom of intellect, how although all of these crazy people only really care about their crazy lives and don’t really have any authority, only power to presue a fake persona which no one really cares about.
May 13, 2009
This book is a satire on what took place during World War II from the American's perspective. The plot can be a little hard to follow at times. A challenging read, but well worth the effort!
May 27, 2014
Took me 20 years and 3 attempts to read this book. So boring from the onset but worth it in the end!
December 19, 2023
I read the book 4 years ago and don’t remember much about it. It was pretty long, had a bunch of funny moments, some sad. I won’t read it again, but I do know what a catch 22 is now.
June 4, 2024
Intriguing in some areas. The back and forth was funny but got annoying towards the end. Or it’s just me trying to finish the book.
July 5, 2025
Complicated, strange and funny,…took me a while to finish
January 22, 2014
Gosh I hate to be that guy who is a detractor. I came across this Title as I was searching for books that would make me laugh out loud and this was at to top of several lists. I chuckled a few times but never was I in fits and starts. I had to force myself to the end but I gave it the old college try. I want funny!
September 23, 2012
Saw the movie years ago, now read the book. Still do not see how it became a classic? The Yossarin character was all over the place except in his slacking and trying to get out of missions. The ending supposedly explains all in the trama of his witnessing the death of a crew man and justifies his insanity? Oh, okay that explains it. Not a very good read.
Want to read
January 16, 2013I was actually enjoying the short bit of this book that I had read. But having been interrupted and set aside so many times that I had to renew it at least twice caused me to throw in the towel in favor of trying anew at a later date.
August 17, 2009
A bit chaotic to say the least..
September 21, 2017
didn't finish it - about halfway through gave up
November 9, 2011
One of the best books I ever read. The humor is amazing - antic, sardonic, dark. A definite one-of-a-kind.
December 9, 2012
it was a re read and i enjoyed almost as much as the first time...
Read
June 17, 2012I just didn't like it.
June 21, 2012
some parts of narration and dialogues are just awesome with a touch of laughter to them... Just about to finish it... A good read afterall
July 27, 2012
Best recommendation my brother ever made on a book. I can re-read it endlessly.
August 31, 2012
very crazyyyyy book i've ever read!!
October 8, 2012
Too many characters, I could not follow the story.
October 10, 2012
The memory of this from my younger days exceeded the reality of re-reading it.
October 26, 2012
Read this one when I was 9; daddy packed its way for me one summer camp season.
Perfect. Truly.
Perfect. Truly.
November 8, 2012
A little hard to follow but brings great perspective.
January 4, 2013
Read like my life once...
January 23, 2013
I've forgotten how many times I tried to read this book before finally accepting its chaos and learning to love and enjoy it. One of my favourite books ever!
Read
February 5, 2013This was the worst book I have ever read!
March 18, 2013
The only book I've read that made me laugh out loud
July 16, 2012
Tried to read Catch 22 three times and finally succeeded - I'm so glad I did!
September 13, 2012
Fantastic! The movie didn't do justice to this classic. A must read if you like sarcasm.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews