Catch-22

by Joseph Heller

Okay, I read this one partially on recommendation and partially because it caught my eye. I'd like to establish, first of all, that it is NOT a children's book and should be filed with 1984 and Animal Farm.

Captain Yossarian is a pilot in the military, and is currently stationed overseas. His unit commander is weird, and he keeps raising the number of missions the men must fly before they can go home to their families. You, the reader, meet an assortment of individuals amongst the motley crew that is their unit: Major Major Major Major, who is forever a major and will be neither promoted nor demoted; Orr, who shares a tent with Yossarian and enjoys methodically taking apart and reassembling anything; Milo, the enterpreneur, who creates a black-market smuggling business on both sides of the war; Doc Daneeka, a physician who spends his time moping and thinking he's ill, and many more that I simply don't remember right now. Different as they may be, they share a common goal: complete their missions so they can be done.

Catch-22 is absolutely hilarious, following Yossarian through his struggles as a pilot and a squadmate who cares for few people but himself in the world. As time goes on, however, he begins to develop what could be called a conscience, though you'll have to judge that for yourself.

I really enjoyed this book, though a lot didn't make sense, since there are so many different storylines to follow. A character that you see only briefly in the beginning could very well end up becoming their own storyline, so keep your eyes peeled!