Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

Reading Catch 22, one associates it with WW2; however, I think it can also be linked to WW1. In theory, one should be able to read a book and takes it’s themes and message without knowing the context, and if one applies this to Catch 22, one could infer that the book was about WW1, possibly. Catch 22 is a book that exemplifies the ridiculousness of war, the abuse of power and authority, especially in wartime, and the importance of freedom, and choice. This satiric novel cynically addresses the lack of care that the government has for its people, and even the lack of care that people have for each other. Heller presents a stark contrast between the uncaring youth and new pilots with the more experienced and more human pilots, presenting another theme of the difference of culture between ages. The style is different to books like ‘A Farewell to Arms’ in that, although they have similar themes, Heller uses more dark humour to get them across than Hemingway. This book is not only entertaining, but thought provoking and a bit disturbing, I would thoroughly recommend it to any reader that is ready to think.