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Catch 22

By: Joseph Heller
Narrated by: Trevor White
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Summary

Nominated for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2008.

At the heart of Joseph Heller's best-selling novel, first published in 1961, is a satirical indictment of military madness and stupidity, and the desire of the ordinary man to survive it.

This is the tale of the dangerously sane Captain Yossarian, who spends his time in Italy plotting to survive. Yossarian is a bombardier in the 256th Squadron of the US Army Air Forces during World War II, stationed on Pianosa, a fictionalised island in the Mediterranean between mainland Italy and Corsica. The squadron's assignment is to bomb enemy positions in Italy and eastern France. Yossarian's mission is simply to stay alive.

©1961 Joseph Heller (P)2008 Hachette Audio
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Critic reviews

"The greatest satirical work in the English language since Erewhon. ( Observer)
"Wildly original, and brutally gruesome, a dazzling performance that will outrage as many readers as it delights. Vulgarly, bitterly, savagely funny, it will not be forgotten by those who can take it." ( The New York Times)
"An apocalyptic masterpiece." ( Chicago Times)

What listeners say about Catch 22

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

One of a kind, everyone should read this book. A good narration too.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Truly one of the best

I can hardly believe that this book was first published in 1955, well before I was born, and it seems as up-to-date and relevant now as it was then. It's been one of the best books I've listened to - nothing is lost in the move from print to audio. The characters came alive all over again, the madness, stupidity, incompetence, frustration and fear of war are conveyed graphically, dramatically - it could be happening today. Although of course, it couldn't, could it? Surely Joseph Heller has taken the reality and exaggerated it just enough to remain plausible? The narration is impeccable, and I sat in the car once I'd reached my destination, just to listen to the last 10 minutes.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Classic satire

A classic satire that is well narrated. Funny and entertaining - perhaps a little repetitive in places if I'm gonna be really picky.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favourite book

This is without doubt Joseph Heller's masterpiece. In my opinion, the best anti war book ever written whilst at the same time being the funniest book I have ever heard/read. My alltime favourite.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Side-splitting

Funniest book I've ever read. See a lot off where Adams and Pratchet get it

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great but a hard read

Found is really hard to get through until around half way. Found it quite difficult to follow as it jumps around everywhere and had so many characters but the tone and prose is really good and I did find it far easier to read in the latter half

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyable

Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. A Great story and a fantastic narrator, would recommend to all.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Not sure what to make of it at first but soon began to love it. The narration was one of the best I’ve listened to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Deeply Funny, Deeply Profound, Deeply Sad

Brilliantly performed, incredibly thought provoking. Its philosophical inights about human nature are profound. One great insight is that capitalism, in the form of Milo, is insensitive to suffering, borders, loyalties and friendships. A genuine classic, brilliantly presented.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sheer Brilliance

This book is absolute genius. It is so engaging, ironic, sarcastic and beautifully written. It is also very dark and humorous too. The narrator really brought the characters to life and enhanced the storyline. I highly recommend it.

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