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Cover of Catch-22
Literary Fiction· United States

Catch-22

by Joseph Heller
Aggregate Editorial Score54/100
TIME 100 Best NovelsBBC Big Read
Published 1961463 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1961. Bombardier Yossarian tries every means possible to be grounded from dangerous bombing missions over Italy in World War II, but the air force's Catch-22 rule—that anyone who tries to avoid danger is proving their sanity—prevents him. Heller's satirical masterpiece defined a generation's view of war and bureaucracy. Themes of war, bureaucracy, sanity run through the work. The book has received recognition from TIME 100 Best Novels 1961 and BBC Big Read 1961.

Book Details

AuthorJoseph Heller
Published1961
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages463
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781451626650
Editorial Score54/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Joseph Heller published Catch-22 in 1961, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United States. The book's treatment of war, bureaucracy, sanity, satire accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: TIME 100 Best Novels 1961; BBC Big Read 1961. Its aggregate editorial score of 54/100 reflects recognition from 2 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. The appeal of Catch-22 lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of war, bureaucracy, sanity, satire is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Joseph Heller's role in the literature of United States is well established. Catch-22 can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

TIME 100 Best Novels
list · global
196121
BBC Big Read
list · national
196117
✍️
About the Author
Joseph Heller
United States
View Author →

Joseph Heller is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Catch-22 about?

Bombardier Yossarian tries every means possible to be grounded from dangerous bombing missions over Italy in World War II, but the air force's Catch-22 rule—that anyone who tries to avoid danger is proving their sanity—prevents him. Heller's satirical masterpiece defined a generation's view of war and bureaucracy.

Who wrote Catch-22?

Catch-22 was written by Joseph Heller, from United States. First published in 1961.

What awards has Catch-22 won?

Catch-22 has received the following awards and honours: TIME 100 Best Novels 1961; BBC Big Read 1961.

Is Catch-22 worth reading?

Catch-22 is a notable work that has earned critical attention, with an aggregate editorial score of 35/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in war, bureaucracy, sanity.

Where can I buy Catch-22?

You can buy Catch-22 on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Catch-22?

Catch-22 is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Catch-22 from?

Catch-22 originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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