Book Review: Catch 22

Joseph Heller's novel Catch 22, is often mentioned as on of many books that should be read before you die. I'm quite skeptical of book lists forcing readers to conform to the tastes of cultural commentators. However having browsed books in Waterstones several times and seen this novel under the "3 for 2 selection", it was only a matter of time before purchasing it. Having recently completed the novel, I have to admit the critics may have a point. Catch 22 by all means is a roller coaster of emotions and confronts the reader with the kinds of physical and mental conditions that men serving in the Second World War were contending with.

The novel is based on the island of Pianosa in the Mediterranean Sea and tracks the plight of Captain John  Yossarian, a Bombardier in the US Army Air Force, who is terrified of flying another mission for his superiors but is constrained from escaping his dread by the ever-changing "Catch 22 rule" enforced by Colonel Cathcart. As someone who isn't a literary expert I was fascinated as to how Heller depicts the hierarchical system and amoral mind games that controls the air-force and prevents desertion and freedom of thought. Further, comedic interludes within the military hospital and in the mess also help to reduce the depressing setting the book is based in. The only main criticism of the book is the constant references to prostitutes and whores which is to be expected, but after a while became a bit tiresome.

For anyone else who continues to bump into Catch 22 each time they visit their local book store or on Amazon, I would highly recommend it.