2003-09-05 Catch 22 Review

As petty as this may sound, this is one of the longest books I have ever read (and enjoyed). Although it could never be for the faint-of-heart or weepy - too 'realistic' for them, it has a very fictcious edge. You are left in no doubt that the lives of these men are surreal to the point of M*A*S*H style antics. And if you liked the TV series you will probably enjoy a longer, more adult version in this book. They have the same insane main character, nasty, depressing truth and impossibly crazed and desperate soldiers.
The whole book revolves around the idea that you cannot be insane enough to declare yourself insane...catch 22. The only way out is by not being able to leave. Of course it doesn't mean you stop trying...Being in the american air force you have more oppurtunities than foot soldiers or the navy, as is demonstrated in the last chapter. Be assured of a 'happy' ending folks...
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something different and substantial. DO NOT sit down with it if you haven't the time to finish it as parts can be difficult. You will definitly struggle if you are female as it is a decidely male book, and only saved from militant feminists by the time it's set in and it deep psychological edge. I could never recommend it to anyone who had lived through, or lost someone to the US air force as parts may seem disrespectful or painful to a sensitive person. But it is all to be taken with a pinch of salt in the end as it is, effectively a rather dark, comedy.
Good Luck!