Comments on: Catch-22: Chapters 11-13

By: shimmer

shimmer — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:37:09 +0000

I’m in too. . . I have been from the beginning, but I think I forgot to post such. Anyway, I’m totally behind, but really enjoying the book. I’m halfway through Chapter 24, Milo, but I intend to finish the book before Christmas. Maybe. For sure before the end of the year.

Anyway, I’m a bit surprised at just how relevant the book is today, with our current administration and all, considering the fact that it was written five years before I was born.

By: Lizzie

Lizzie — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:05:16 +0000

I’m (re)reading along as well. completely off schedule, of course.

By: Toni

Toni — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:32:28 +0000

I’m still in!!!! I agree that Bologna was the first chapter where I really was excited as I turned each page. Before that, I would re-read the paragraphs before I turned the page, just to be sure that I understood what was what!! I am really digging this book. Makes my brain work overtime!!!!

By: D.

D. — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:55:54 +0000

I’m still in…just a bit behind.

By: Alexis

Alexis — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 23:07:55 +0000

I’m still in! I haven’t said anything about being in, yet, because I haven’t been reading the blog much yet.

I started reading this book two years ago and then stopped. I was very excited that it was picked this year, because it gets me going on reading it again. The circular writing makes it a TERRIBLE book to put down and then pick up again. After reading the blog, however, I’m remembering the chapters rather well… considering.

Next year you should pick Great Expectations or Middlemarch so that I can get on those ones, too.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:46:19 +0000

>I’m still in! I have nothing witty to add, other >than to wonder why Major —– de Coverley is >missing part of his name. Is this an obvious thing >that I’m missing?

Jennifer,
Originally I made the same assumption as Jon F. However, according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_—-_de_Coverley):

Major —- de Coverley’s first name is not given in the novel, heightening the fact that nobody has the courage to ask him what it is.

By: Matt L. Miller

Matt L. Miller — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:09:19 +0000

I’m still in — and only got my copy on Monday. It really does go down more smoothly read quickly.

By: Mel

Mel — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:50:12 +0000

I’m in, just a little behind, and saving the posts until I’ve finished the requisite chapters (as a little reward). Got my library book checked out here, and a copy lined up for me at my Thanksgiving vacation destination too. Now if someone would just take these darn kids for a few hours, I’d be all caught up.

By: tim

tim — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:52:03 +0000

It seems to me that Heller’s writing style is annoying quite a few people. Remember – it’s like that for a reason. The catch, a logically cyclic set of arguments, is inserted into the text wherever possible – arguments, situations, characters, etc. I don’t know that there’s ever been a clear explanation of why Heller did it – maybe just to emphasis what he saw as the futility of war, or maybe because it seemed a rationally elegant problem – once you join the game the only way to win is to stop playing.

Also, there is a plot, it’s just not told linearly. This isn’t a bad thing, it just means that a bit more concentration is required than for the average airport paperback. The actions of characters make sense within the twisted scenarios Heller created, they just don’t happen in order. A lot of it seems pretty similar to the way Ulysses was set out – characters remember scenes with no distinction as to where the present and the past meet.

The second half of the book gets a lot darker, and some of Heller’s points become clearer, as do the motivations and reasons for characters’ actions. Hang in there! This is one of my favorite books, one I reread every year or so (I read a lot), and I think that the initial confusion is definitely worth it.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:48:52 +0000

Ooh, ooh, one more thing. I have really enjoyed reading this and comparing it to the movie Memphis Belle (also about WWII bombers). Memphis Belle is so “40s glam where boys become men and learn important lessons about patriotism” that it’s hard to believe that the movie and the book are talking about the same historical event. That said, I am definitely picturing Harry Connick Jr. in the part of Yossarian.