OK, Paradise wants us to blog about our books. So here I go.
I don't think I like Catch-22. So I'm going to stop with it for now and move on to the next book, or in this case, play, since I've decided to start reading The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. I've read a few pages of it so far, and I think I'm going to do better with this one.
But just so my time with Catch-22 isn't a total waste, here's some of the plot I got from it, and some of the things that drove me to (temporarily) give up on it.
1. The setting is a fictional island in Europe (I think) where WWII is in full swing. Yossarian, the main character, serves as his plane's navigator (He is part of a bomber squadron). He thinks everybody is trying to kill him, which makes him call for crazy maneuvers to avoid danger while out on his missions. He also avoids combat as often as possible by checking into the hospital with mysterious (usually made up) symptoms.
2. Catch-22 is a really messed up military policy that results in a no-win situation for the affected party. Here's how it works. One of the ways Yossarian tries to get sent home is by claiming he is not mentally fit to be flying missions with the squad. Catch-22 takes effect: Only a crazy man would keep risking his life on his missions, and a crazy man should be grounded. BUT if he shows concern for his health by asking to be grounded (under the grounds that he is crazy), that concern shows that he is sane, and as a result, he's got to keep flying missions. In short, Yossarian's screwed, thanks to CIRCULAR LOGIC.
Note: I think half my brain cells just died typing that last one.
Now let's get to why I'm switching books.
1. EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING IN THIS BOOK IS INSANE! (See #2 above)
2. There's way too much contradiction going on in the dialogue and in the narration. If you read this and three pages pass without a single contradiction or deja-vu, check the front cover, 'cause you ain't reading Catch-22.
3. The book moves at a snail's pace. Or maybe I'm just too impatient. I don't care which.
Having said that, the book is interesting, and trust me, I will try to read it before the end of the summer. Seriously.
OK, my brain hurts, I'm ending this thing.
P.S. This may sound weird, but I want the titles of my blog entries to be interesting. They don't have to even relate to the actual entry. It's more fun that way. So, if you have an idea for a title, or if you just want to say high, just type it in the comments section. If I pick your title, and I actually remember to do so, I'll give you credit somewhere in the entry. Have fun with this!
P.P.S. If you have a title, just make sure it's PG-13 or lower.
P.P.P.S. Wow, I wrote a lot....
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4 comments:
I whole-heartedly agree with your Catch 22 assessment. I didn't like the book at all, and I must admit that skimmed a lot of the ending. It doesn't get better! I think it is one of those books that you either really like, or you think it is completely stupid. I've met people who really like the book, but I think they could possibly be mentally unstable! :)
I like your idea for title collaberation. I wish I could think of something witty right now, but I'm drawing a blank. How about "I'm not weird, I just don't care enough to try to be normal." A friend described me as that once. I took it as a good thing!
Wow, Catch-22 sounds like a really confusing book. However, someone out there has to like it, because now catch 22 is actually a phrase used in conversation, not just the title of a book. I find it interesting that people use such a weird book's title in everyday talking.
"So, if you have an idea for a title, or if you just want to say high"
High? High? I believe you mean hi.
As for a title recommendation, I would say "2 + 2 = 5" or anything else related to the that (1984) book that you so adore.
Yes, J-cat, you did write a lot, but that's okay.
So I kind of basically know that whole 'this is an okya book, but it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to read just because that is how it is and there is nothing you can do about it' feeling. Well, I hope it works out for you better the next time oyu attempt it. :)
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