num_pages: 478
description: Catch-22 has become a byword in its own time. It is a novel of enormous richness and art. It is deeply serious, yet at the same time, brilliantly funny. It is mentally gymnastic. It is without question one of the great novels of the century.It has characters such as Milo Minderbinder, who devotes all his time to infinitely elaborate commercial enterprises. At one point he bombs his own airfield in exchange for a promise from the Germans of the cost of the operation plus six per cent. There is Major de ——— Coverley, whose face is so fearsome that no one has ever dared to ask his first name; Colonel Cathcart, who cares for nothing except keeping in well with his superiors. To do so, he continually increases the quota of missions his men must fly before being sent back home. And there is Yossarian, around whom all the characters revolve, who makes tireless efforts to avoid combat duties. He explains his position to Major Danby, a psychiatrist:"From now on I'm thinking only of me."Major Danby replied indulgently with a superior smile: "But, Yossarian, suppose everyone felt that way.""Then," said Yossarian, "I'd certainly be a damned fool to feel any other way, wouldn't I?"
language: English
title: Catch 22
titlecomplete: Catch 22
characters: Doc Daneeka, Major Major Major Major, General Dreedle, Colonel Cathcart, Chief White Halfoat, Yossarian, Milo Minderbinder, Chaplain Tappman, Orr, Nately
genres: Fiction, Historical, War, American, Humor, Literature, Classics, Novels, Historical Fiction, Unfinished
ratings_count: 816337
places: Italy
series: Catch-22
awards: awardedAt: -252432000000
name: National Book Award Finalist
category: Fiction
publisher: Corgi Books