Joseph Heller as “Pete, a replacement bombardier” in “Training for Combat” Questions have abounded since Joseph Heller’s novel, “Catch-22" was first published 60 years ago. The author always claimed that the most famous American war novel of the Twentieth Century was fiction, but members of the unit Heller flew in during World War II, were quick to identify events and characters in the novel that were recognizable.
I first read Catch-22 in college and it made no sense to me, but years later after Vietnam, Nixon, Watergate, etc., and working a Federal government job, then I got it…
What a thread to unravel from that time and place in the war. When I was in the Marine Corps, I wrote a column on it called Road to Victory. You brought me back to my own deep dive into World War II.
I knew Joe Heller a little bit, since he ended up teaching in the same Creative Writing Program at CCNY I attended. at a party to welcome new faculty, my father (the college's PR guy) showed up. he thought "Catch-22" was the funniest--and probably the best--novel he'd ever read. I introduced them assuming they'd spend all night jawing about the AAF. needless to say, it was the last thing they wanted to talk about. chalk it up to the youth's ignorant woe (I was 22).
when I came to re-read the book about ten or fifteen years ago, what struck me wasn't how funny it was but the fine quality of its prose. I guess when you're in your fifties (my age during the re-reading) and have already lost a good friend or two due to "natural attrition," that gallows humor sometimes rings a little hollow.
excellent piece, Tom. this is your NEXT book to come out, right?
I saw catch 22 the movie when it first came out, then read the book. Close to that time the movie MASH came out. The television series started a few years later, maybe 1972. I was 19 and some of my friends were drafted into the Viet Nam war. My recollection from the Catch 22 movie and book was a conundrum. You need to get out and you want to get out but you can’t get out because you know you need to get out. Hmmm. So Catch 22 became a “catch phrase” for the time. It seemed to fold into Mash. Probably my favorite television show ever. Although I protested the Viet Nam war my heart goes out to the vets. They are my heroes. They were truly in a catch 22 and should have received the hero’s welcome home that our WW2 veterans got, but they didn’t. Many atrocities happened there, and I’m sure there were some bad actors, But most were young boys just out of high school like my friends, lost in a sea of chaos and death for what? WW2 we fought and defeated Fascism. Viet Nam war we??? Ok jumping off my soapbox now.
Interesting but may have fit the times better. “Catch-18 year old boys and send them to Viet Nam” That said by my snarky self, Catch-22 is probably catchier but possibly by familiarity only
I first read Catch-22 in college and it made no sense to me, but years later after Vietnam, Nixon, Watergate, etc., and working a Federal government job, then I got it…
My husband was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He flew combat assault
missions primarily and inserted and
pulled out LRRPs. The hardest thing for him to handle were the children.
He was listed MIA on 11/1, confirmed KIA 11/15, I buried him on
11/22 and our anniversary is 11/26.
War is hell, gentlemen and leaves
collateral damage of everyone.
What a thread to unravel from that time and place in the war. When I was in the Marine Corps, I wrote a column on it called Road to Victory. You brought me back to my own deep dive into World War II.
I knew Joe Heller a little bit, since he ended up teaching in the same Creative Writing Program at CCNY I attended. at a party to welcome new faculty, my father (the college's PR guy) showed up. he thought "Catch-22" was the funniest--and probably the best--novel he'd ever read. I introduced them assuming they'd spend all night jawing about the AAF. needless to say, it was the last thing they wanted to talk about. chalk it up to the youth's ignorant woe (I was 22).
when I came to re-read the book about ten or fifteen years ago, what struck me wasn't how funny it was but the fine quality of its prose. I guess when you're in your fifties (my age during the re-reading) and have already lost a good friend or two due to "natural attrition," that gallows humor sometimes rings a little hollow.
excellent piece, Tom. this is your NEXT book to come out, right?
It’s been over 40 years since I read it. I’ll pull it out. Thanks.
Riveting account.
Must reread Catch 22. Embarrassed by how much I’ve forgotten, or perhaps chose to forget…
I saw catch 22 the movie when it first came out, then read the book. Close to that time the movie MASH came out. The television series started a few years later, maybe 1972. I was 19 and some of my friends were drafted into the Viet Nam war. My recollection from the Catch 22 movie and book was a conundrum. You need to get out and you want to get out but you can’t get out because you know you need to get out. Hmmm. So Catch 22 became a “catch phrase” for the time. It seemed to fold into Mash. Probably my favorite television show ever. Although I protested the Viet Nam war my heart goes out to the vets. They are my heroes. They were truly in a catch 22 and should have received the hero’s welcome home that our WW2 veterans got, but they didn’t. Many atrocities happened there, and I’m sure there were some bad actors, But most were young boys just out of high school like my friends, lost in a sea of chaos and death for what? WW2 we fought and defeated Fascism. Viet Nam war we??? Ok jumping off my soapbox now.
Another fascinating bit of literary history.
Thank You, TC, for your insights and back story. Inspired to read it again.
Who is recording the history of today's Ukraine? I wonder.
Tom, on a different subject, maybe.
When was the movie Catch22 released? I remember seeing a WWII movie in early 1970s that had
some fantastic aero dog fighting
scenes. Do you know this movie?You're our Hollywood and
military guru.
Interesting but may have fit the times better. “Catch-18 year old boys and send them to Viet Nam” That said by my snarky self, Catch-22 is probably catchier but possibly by familiarity only