Catch 22 - Shall I try again?

[clemette]

Inspired by the other thread about books you can't finish. I have tried Catch 22 about four times now and never get past the first few pages.
It bothers me that I am defeated by it. So, is it worth it? How far into the book does it stop being odd, or is it odd throughout?

Snap! I've really struggled, so i'd be intrugued to hear what others have to say. Hope you get some replies.

I love it! Although there is a story line running through it, a lot of the chapters can be read in isolation. E.g. Milo MinderBinder, Nurse Cramer, Doc Daneeka. The time-line is all over the place but it's not so important that you can't just enjoy the book for what it contains - absolutely ridiculous, well-crafted characters that you remember for ever! (Can you tell I'm a fan ).

Sorry - in answer to your question - No, it never stops being odd! They are all mad except Yossarian if that helps.

oh! It's my favourite book in the world. I think you just have to keep reading until you get used to it. I think it's brill. Then again if you just don't like it then maybe life's too short to waste time reading stuff you don't like.

I also love 100 years of Solitude which I guess is a bit the same. In a funny sort of way.

Give it another go, it's sooooo ace.

i've tried it several times, and got more than half way through, but never finished. yes, you do start to work out a storyline, but it's all the same style, which i just found a little wearisome after a while.

i do like some of the ideas in it though - like major major major major.

I loved it too. I think you should persevere but that is because I like it and I like the humour.

Agree with Zombie (not about Catch 22 i think it's nonsense) but life is too short to read books you don't like

There are thousand and thousands of books out there - it's unlikely you'll get the time to read all the books you would like so don't waste any of that time reading ones you don't

Catch 22 is my all time favourite book in the workd too, I never tire of reading it. I actually got thrown out of the library when I was in sixth form for laughing so loudly whilst reading it

It may help you to know that it actually starts to make more sense on second and subsequent readings.

There is a clear story running through it, its just that the chapters aren't written in the order that they take place in that story and therefore you are travelling back and forth in time.

As Zombie said, life may be too short to read books that you really aren't enjoying but .. if you can persevere you may find that you do really enjoy it too

I just LOVED Colonel Cathcart working out his successes and failures. I think I'm going to dig it out and just re-read that chapter. Hilarious. And the naming of Major Major Major Major! Too ridiculous for words!

oh i can't read this book

but somehow feel i should...

It's a bloody odd book, but just embrace the oddness and carry on. It's fantastic. How will you know about Major Major Major if you don't persist?

I love that Major Major will only see people in his office once he's not there and will make them wait outside until he's made good his escape through the window

Thanks everyone. I think life IS perhaps a bit too short but I hate feeling defeated.
Maybe when the children have left home and I have retired....