(May 1, 2015 at 2:39 pm)alpha male Wrote:(April 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm)Rev. Rye Wrote: Honestly, I've read it a few times and I think Catch-22 works better as a portrait of the insanity of war and the human condition. If the writing style undermines the struggle against brutality and bureaucracy, that's only because, well, reality will undermine the struggle. One person can do so little against the military juggernaut.
I couldn't finish it. I read 4 chapters or so. Each chapter seemed to be a portrait of a new and entertaining character. I liked the author's voice, but I just couldn't find a plot anywhere and lost interest. Seemed more like a collection of essays than a novel.
It takes longer for an actual plot to emerge than four chapters.
And if you think that's bad, try reading Geoff Ryman's 253. It's just a brief description (253 words, in fact) of 253 passengers on a London Underground train. Try reading that and dismissing Catch-22 on those grounds!
On a lighter note, I recently read Damien Echols' Life After Death (he deserves a 10/10 after everything he went through) and am currently reading Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth. It's off to a good start.
Comparing the Universal Oneness of All Life to Yo Mama since 2010.
I was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world is mad.
I was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world is mad.