I concur with this selection. It’s a great, great novel with many relevant messages. Judith Martin’s comments were rightfully characterized as contemplative, also. Kudos to Erica Heller for being keeper of her father’s flame.

Excellent book, I’ve been in a monthly book club for 27 years and this book gave us one of the best discussions. Timely and timeless, with a bit of the absurd thrown in. If you are going to participate in our culture, it is important to be familiar with cultural references, and “catch 22” is a common reference you should be aware of. It is amusing to hear the phrase thrown around in a totally wrong context. In our very busy lives, with “reading” on the internet taking up so much of our time, it is important to spend your actual book reading hours with a quality book. This is one of them.

Thanks so much, Kitty. I’m not sure whether I in fact “keep the flame” but I AM aware of its very bright light and feel, especially with today’s hideous Iraq debacle, that this book was never more relevant than it is today. (Sad, but true.) I’m hoping it will stimulate an interesting dialogue here. In the meantime, I will reserve all my praise for Judith Martin. This is not an easy book to write about in a short space but she has done a truly splendid job. She and her masterful critique are absolutely, absolutely Catch-worthy.

CONVERSATION IN A LIBRARY Me: (at main desk) Hi, I’d like to renew this book (which I have in my hand) Librarian: We can’t renew books that way. M: Huh? L: You have to call the renew number by phone M: But why? I have the book right here? L: Sorry, but that’s the policy M: but that doesn’t make any sense! L: Sorry, but that’s the policy M: Well, screw the policy, it’s illogical! L: (she doesn’t answer and is just staring at me) M: So you mean to tell me that if I had a cell phone, I could go outside, call the renew number and that lady sitting over at your right would take down my library number and the book’s code and the job would be done? L: That’s right M: Well, why don’t we pretend I’m on the phone? L: You are holding up the line,Madam, step aside please. I then went directly to the director and told him my story and he said, “That’s about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, a real Catch 22! I’ll get that fixed straightaway.” And he did.

“Catch-22” has become part of our language. Moreover, after nearly thirty years, this novel retains its position not only as the most distinctive fiction of World War ll, but also as the most wildly imaginative and telling account ever of the ongoing battle between modern bureaucracy and the resisting individual. It’s black humor and it’s death haunted.

Hi Phyllis, Actually, it was first published in 1961. See? Things never change. (They just get much, much more complicated.)

I bought the book in paperback—blue cover—at Danang airport on way out out of the Nam and read it on the plane while sipping from a a qt. of Jack Daniels until a kind flight attendant broughr me a glass if ice and talked with me for a minute. As I sat in the rear of the 707 reading eating peanuts and drinking iced Jack—I read, laughed and I realized that that book brought out what I knew to be totally true—Joe Heller caught the insanity perfectly. A brilliant work of sheer genius and Yossarian was me and the guys I knew in the Cav and I knew a Milo Minderbinder dog-robber that could get you anything for a small fee. The characters in that book were and still are very real to me. Thank you Joe wherever you are. You helped me on the road to recovery form a place where no sane boy should ever have to go.

Bravo! Judith Martin did a wonderful job of reintroducing Wow book lovers to this timeless classic. I just read the first chapter and I’m laughing and smiling so much I feel like Sarah Palin! Off to Amazon to buy the book. I suspect I will relate to it even more now than when I was younger.

Echoes by Jack M. Franks from 1929. Or, Among the Millet, from 1888 which was owned by Eugene Field. To me the old way is the proven way.