_Catch-22_ by Joseph Heller
Although I know that many people read this book in high school or early college days, it was never on my reading list. So, over the years I would read or hear references to characters or phrases from the novel along with the title itself being used commonly in literary/academic/colloquial conversations, but I never really appreciated the references.
Now, I have read it.
The World War II setting and the psychological struggles of the characters to get through the war is interesting. I wonder if high schoolers can appreciate the reality that at the end of the day, every man is for himself. Maybe as a teenager that is something we just take for granted? The chain of command wielded power over the others for their own glory, not considering the risk of life to the men who just want to go home and return to their “normal” lives.
Anyway, I am not sure I appreciated the book as much as I might have at a younger age, but using the term “It’s Catch-22” now makes a bit more sense, although it means to make no sense! π
I recommend it as a classics read, but am glad to move on to other reads now.
