No Catch it was great

I own quite a few audiobooks on cassette and am slowly replacing those that can no longer be played with downloads from audible. I was so pleased when Catch 22 became available. I have always loved this book. It has been narrated well by Trevor White the canadian actor. He brings out the cynical humour in Heller's book so well.

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16 people found this helpful

Loved it!

A brilliantly satirical and still very current story!

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5 people found this helpful

All the Madness You Could Ever Want

What made the experience of listening to Catch 22 the most enjoyable?

The reading of Catch 22 gives you the energy that comes from reading the book off the page. There's a sense that the narrator Yossarian is figuring out events as they occur in the story: so the 'discovery' tone of the reading is what is needed for the audio version. The conundrums of the novel, facts being known, facts being startling, things never getting any better, life being more comic as each tragedy takes place is well served by the reading.

What other book might you compare Catch 22 to, and why?

Given its comic tone, the scope of its characters, the complexity of its telling, its hard to find a book that acts as a comparison to Catch 22. Classic literature gives you long social novels, but they don't necessarily offer you such profound comedy, and in Catch 22 each sentence is carefully crafted. Oddly, perhaps only a novelist of social insight, comedy and irony such as Jane Austin comes to mind as a comparison in terms of concentrated observational style. The American novel has its austere social authors, such as John Steinbeck, and its ironists, like Tom Wolfe or Brett Easton Ellis, but I would set Catch 22 apart as one of the 'big American novels'. Perhaps John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany is the only book I know that has the length and laugh out loud joy, frustration and despair of Catch 22.

What does Trevor White bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The reading shows the enjoyment that the written book offers. The tone of the reading matches the persona of the narrator Yossarian. In this sense the reading adds to the book. Trevor White embodies the character of Yossarian very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would never want to read this book in one sitting. It's an immense work, with so many characters, so many funny events. Returning to this book through the audio is the enjoyment of it. I sometimes start at the beginning of the book, but then often just listen to a chapter by dipping in. The book is told with overlapping stories, and with so many different characters. Its a book for a lifetime: rereading is better each time.

Any additional comments?

I wonder if it might be quite hard to listen to the audio version of Catch 22 without prior reading of the full novel or a detailed synopsis to hand. In this respect going to a list of the characters to be sure who is who, or having to go back and re-read or listen to the book should not be seen as a problem with the story. The interlocking, repeating, developing stories are part of the experience. The book is so precise and so quick that it requires familiarity for enjoyment of it or concentrated listening. This might make the audio book seem like a challenge. It is more demanding than a linear story where if you have a sense of the plot you can move forward even if you miss something. This is not the case with Catch 22. There's also a sense that Catch 22 has been copied in its style by other more recent war novels. Catch 22 can be understood to stem from the comic picaresque novel of Don Quixote, but what Catch 22 has is tragic depth, which is not always the case with pallid imitators. Catch 22 offers the reader or the listener more each time they return to it. There's nothing superficial about Catch 22.

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Brilliant book, superbly narrated

This is one of the all time great books. The narration is spot on and it is a funny and occasionaly moving look at the absurdity of war.

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Superb Book

Wonderful book brought to life brilliantly by the story teller whose performance is perfect for this book best audio performance I’ve heard on audible

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Absolutely loved it

so as you can guess from the title, Catch 22 is an awesome book. At first I was a little apprehensive about this book, I like to listen and draw, but I needed full concentration in the beginning as there are a lot of introductions to new characters, it does get easier and the story is amazing, such detail. Trevor white has been the best narrator I have listed to so far, his character voices are perfect. Give this book a go, you won't regret it

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Just good fun

Takes a bit of work to keep up with the story, but so funny. And even better the second time round!

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A wonderful classic satire on war.

This is a classic, if like me you have always meant to get around to reading it, get the audio instead! It is a joy. The deadpan delivery is perfect, just the right tone and the reader brings the story and characters to life and delivers the cutting satire with just the right expression and timing. Enjoy.

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Excellent

I loved it. Very funny but also quite sickening. Perfect for this jaded listener

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Well narrated, good story

It’s a terrific bit of satire which is complimented by Trevor White’s excellent characterisation of every individual from start to finish. Very fun & enjoyable.

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