Catch22+review+from+Chris+to+Jung+Hwan

Catch 22 is a fine piece of literary art written by Joseph Heller in 1961. This classic is sure to get you smiling from its first page and before you know it, you would be cringing with laughter. But of course, as with all classical works, the vocabulary is very challenging and perhaps dampens the humour if the reader lacks a refined grasp of the English language. Nevertheless, Joseph Heller uses the complexities of the language to compliment his subtle sarcastic comedy. The book was written with many paradoxes for example: The Texan turned out to be good-natured, generous and likable. In three days no one could stand him, and The case against Clevinger was open and shut. The only thing missing was something to charge him with. This atmosphere of apparent logical irrationality pervades the whole book. The entire book was written in the perspective of a mad American bombardier, Captain John Yossarian who despite maintaining a strictly serious tone of narration turns the entire book into a comical fanfare. Most events occur while the airmen of the fictional Fighting 256th (or "two to the fighting eighth power") Squadron are based on a fictional version of the island of Pianosa, west of Italy. On Pianosa, Yossarian is animated solely by a desperate determination to stay alive on missions and not bothered about the outcome of a mission.
 * Review of Joseph Heller's Catch 22 by Christopher Sng**

Amazingly enough, I often dislike classical books, however in the case of Catch 22, I was hooked to it. This book is a definite read not only for the general public but especially for those aiming to improve their standard of English in an enjoyable way. Catch 22 has become a common by-word as a result of this historical work—a catch 22 situation meaning a problem faced which can only be overcome by doing one thing before doing the other thing. However, the first thing cannot be done without doing the other thing—a catch 22 situation. For example, you cannot get a job without experience, but you cannot get experience unless you have a job.

4 Stars.