Book Review – Catch 22

Catch-22 has been sitting on my shelf for ages, giving me that judgmental side-eye that only unread classics can give. You know the feeling, right? That mix of “you really should read me” and “but what if I’m too complex?” Well, I finally picked it up last week during a particularly nasty Vancouver rainstorm, and wow – I’m kicking myself for not reading this sooner!

The dark humor in this book absolutely knocked me sideways. As someone who usually gravitates toward fantasy and romance, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle Heller’s satirical style. But there I was, snort-laughing into my bubble tea at 2 AM because of yet another perfectly absurd scene. The circular logic of the military bureaucracy had me simultaneously giggling and pulling my hair out – which I’m pretty sure was exactly Heller’s intention. The famous “Catch-22” itself (you’re crazy if you want to keep flying dangerous missions, but asking to be relieved of duty proves you’re sane enough to fly) is just the tip of the paradoxical iceberg.

The character of Yossarian spoke to my soul in a way I wasn’t expecting. Here’s this bombardier who’s just trying to stay alive while surrounded by lunacy, and honestly? Mood. It reminded me of my first year working at that corporate job where nothing made sense but everyone acted like it was perfectly normal. The way Yossarian navigates the absurdity of war while maintaining his humanity (and sanity!) is both hilarious and heartbreaking. His determination to survive in a system designed to crush individuality had me cheering him on from the first page.

The format of this book is deliciously chaotic. The timeline jumps around like my cat after too much catnip, but somehow it works perfectly. Each chapter reveals another layer of madness in the military system, introducing us to characters who are simultaneously ridiculous and deeply human. The non-linear storytelling might throw some readers off at first (it certainly had me flipping back a few pages more than once), but trust me – stick with it. Everything connects in the most satisfying way.

The supporting cast is an absolute masterclass in character creation. From Major Major Major Major (yes, that’s really his name) to the profit-obsessed Milo Minderbinder, each character represents a different facet of the wartime experience. I found myself keeping a little notebook beside me to keep track of everyone, which turned into my own personal collection of favorite quotes and moments. My roommate probably thought I was losing it when I kept reading passages out loud to her, but some of these scenes are just too good not to share.

The way this book handles serious themes through comedy is brilliant. Don’t let the humor fool you – this isn’t just a funny book about war. Heller tackles heavy themes like mortality, sanity, bureaucracy, and the fundamental absurdity of war with a deftness that left me thinking about them long after I finished reading. There were moments when I’d be laughing at a particularly ridiculous situation, only to be hit with the devastating reality underlying the humor. It’s like those TikToks that make you laugh before punching you in the feelings – but way more profound.

The writing style took me a bit to get used to – like trying to eat soup with chopsticks, it requires a certain technique. But once I found the rhythm, I couldn’t put it down. Heller’s prose dances between sharp wit and profound observation, often in the same sentence. The circular conversations and repetitive phrases that initially seemed confusing suddenly became like inside jokes between the book and me.

This book hit differently than I expected. When you pick up a classic, there’s always that worry that it won’t live up to its reputation or that it’ll feel dated. But Catch-22 feels frighteningly relevant. The absurdity of bureaucracy, the way systems can trap people in impossible situations, the struggle to maintain sanity in an insane world – these themes resonated with me in ways I wasn’t prepared for.

If you’re looking for a linear war story with clear heroes and villains, this might not be your cup of tea (or bubble tea, in my case). But if you’re willing to embrace the chaos, to laugh at the absurd while contemplating the profound, and to follow Yossarian through the twisting maze of military logic, you’re in for an unforgettable reading experience.

Would I recommend Catch-22? Absolutely. Just maybe don’t start it at 2 AM like I did, or you’ll find yourself bleary-eyed at work the next day, still chuckling about chocolate-covered cotton and trying to explain Catch-22 to your confused coworkers. This book is a wild ride, but it’s one that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.