Catch-22: One of the Great Novels of the Century

"Catch-22" is a satirical, historical novel by the American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961. The novel, set during the later stages of World War II from 1943 onwards, is frequently cited as one of the great literary works of the twentieth century. It has a distinctive non-chronological style where events are described from different characters' points of view and out of sequence, so that the timeline develops along with the plot.

The novel follows Caesarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and a number of other characters. Most events occur while the airmen of the fictional Fighting 256th Squadron (or "two to the fighting eighth power") are based on the island of Pianola, in the Mediterranean Sea west of Italy.

"The greatest satirical work in the English language". – Philip Toynbee

"Blessedly, monstrously, bloatedly, cynically funny, and fantastically unique. No one has ever written a book like this". – Financial Times

“Catch-22” by Joseph Heller is a satirical war novel that explores the absurdities, contradictions, and brutalities of modern warfare. First published in 1961, it has become a classic of American literature, celebrated for its dark humor, circular logic, and biting critique of military bureaucracy.

The story follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Force bombardier stationed on a Mediterranean island during World War II. Yossarian desperately wants to survive the war, but he finds himself trapped by the infamous “Catch-22”—a paradoxical military regulation that makes escape from combat impossible. If a soldier is insane, he doesn’t have to fly missions, but if he applies for exemption, he proves his sanity by showing concern for his life, and therefore must continue flying.

Through its non-linear narrative and shifting perspectives, the novel presents a surreal and chaotic portrait of war. Characters like Milo Minderbinder, Major Major Major Major, and Doc Daneeka embody the absurdities of military hierarchy, greed, and self-interest. The novel blends comedy with tragedy, highlighting both the ridiculousness and the horror of human conflict.

At its core, “Catch-22” is a profound commentary on the loss of individuality, morality, and freedom in systems driven by bureaucracy and war. Heller exposes how logic can be twisted to justify injustice, leaving soldiers trapped in situations with no way out.

The book remains timeless, not only as an anti-war statement but also as a critique of power, institutions, and the human tendency toward self-destruction. Its title, “Catch-22,” has entered everyday language as shorthand for an inescapable paradox or lose-lose situation.