On the HahaFiction shelf
Catch-22
Audiobook available · 19 hr 58 min
Bombardier Yossarian wants to survive World War II, but his commanders keep raising the number of missions he must fly. He could be grounded for insanity, except that asking to escape danger proves he is sane. Military procedure supplies a reason to keep him flying either way.
From the publisher’s blurb
“a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule”Read the full description at Simon & Schuster, publisher description
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What makes it funny?
Given soldiers’ letters to censor, Yossarian starts deleting parts of speech for his own amusement. He signs the results Washington Irving, then Irving Washington, until an investigator arrives to look for the mysterious officer.
The comedy at work
Heller gives nonsense the orderly phrasing of an official explanation. A rule can be internally consistent while preventing release from combat; a routine administrative task can produce an investigation into someone who does not exist.
Try this if…
Readers who enjoy bitter institutional satire, circular arguments and disorderly dialogue. The chronology takes some piecing together, with events presented out of order.
Good to know
The comedy includes grim wartime suffering and severe injuries. The opening contains racial slurs and profanity; the bureaucratic jokes do not remove the horror.
A few distinguishing details
- A request for medical relief proves fitness for duty
- Military censorship treated as a word game
More funny classic comedy
Sources & further reading
- Unabridged audiobook
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- Read an excerpt
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- Publisher description
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- Kirkus review
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- Publisher and reading guide
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