bookshelf IIT Roorkee discussion

I've just completed about half of Catch-22 despite violent opposition from those who've read it. I rented it from bookshelf btw. And I love it. I can't put it down. It's made me laugh so much I've cried.
I recently saw Vikas Sir gave it a 1 star too. I checked out the ratings section on goodreads and even there the reception is bipolar. Half the people've loved it and the other half have hated it. The most common opposition is the one Abhay Sir gave me. I quote "The book has no story! It doesn't go anywhere! Nothing Happens!"
Well it's not supposed to. It doesn't have a Harry-takes-ring-to-mordor-and-Marries-A-Vampire type story with twists and drama. In fact it's not got a story at all. It DESCRIBES life at an American Army aviation base from the protagonists point of view. It's a satire. If you've a reason to hate it other than the lack of story thing then you're welcome to post. Also feel free to completely disagree. I'll leave you with a passage which I don't know how someone can't find funny.

' "Just what the hell did you mean, you bastard, when you said we couldn't punish you?" ' said the corporal who could take shorthand, reading from his steno pad.
'All right, ' said the colonel. 'Just what the hell *did* you mean?'
'I didn't say you couldn't punish me, sir. '
'When?' asked the colonel.
'When what, sir?'
'Now you're asking me questions again. '
'I'm sorry, sir. I'm afraid I don't understand your question. '
'When didn't you say we couldn't punish you? Don't you understand my question?'
'No, sir. I don't understand. '
'You've just told us that. Now suppose you answer my question. '
'But how can I answer it?'
'That's another question you're asking me. '
'I'm sorry, sir. But I don't know how to answer it. I never said you couldn't punish me. '
'Now you're telling us when you did say it. I'm asking you to tell us when you didn't say it. '
Clevinger took a deep breath. 'I always didn't say you couldn't punish me, sir. '
'That's much better, Mr. Clevinger, even though it is a barefaced lie.

i was half hoping nobody takes it for holidays cuz' i wanted to take it myself. ;) but i guess it was good as u have taken it to the opposing junta.

one of the major points of interests for me is to know what a catch-22 situation is!
i want to read the whole book for it rather than let wiki ruin it.

I read it quite a while ago (11th, Kota). It may deserve another chance, I guess. But I never read it as a humour book, and was kinda expecting some good war drama/suspense/thriller. Will try to give it a second read if I can, but I doubt I'll find it bearable (I'm not much of a wodehouse fan, so you might understand)

@Rushil: You ought to read MASH, if you can find it somewhere.

I struggled with this book for about 20 days. Each time opening it and thinking maybe something exciting will happen now. It appeared that the author took the same catch 22 joke and repeated it again and again in the entire novel. I think it is better to leave a novel midway rather than reading it just for the sake of completing it. It just couldn't grab my attention!