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Heller, Joseph, 1923-1999.
American author of novels, short fiction and plays of a generally satirical slant,
born in Brooklyn, New York to Russian Jewish parents. His experiences in the U.S.
Army Air Corps in World War II provided grist for his most famous novel.
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Catch-22. 1961.
The experiences of members of the fictional 256th Air Corps bombing squadron,
based on the island of Pianosa, Italy, as they serve out their enlistments. The
focus is on Captain John Yossarian, but events are described from the viewpoints
of several characters, and jump back and forth in time. Throughout the men are
bedeviled by a supposed military rule dubbed "Catch-22," fictitious even in the
context of the novel, used to thwart rationality. Specifically, any traumatized
airman can be excused from missions on grounds of insanity, but has to request
the exemption — an action then deemed proof of sanity. For much of its course
the story plays as black comedy, but towards the end it unveils the full horrors
of war. Nominated for the National Book Award in 1962. Adapted to film in 1970
and stage in 1971 (by Heller himself) and 2007 (based on Heller's earlier
version); a pilot for a television series was made in 1973. Followed by a late
sequel, Closing Time (1994).
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Posted
Dec. 4, 2013,
and last updated
Dec. 4, 2013.
Please report any errors to the compiler.
Published by Fleabonnet Press.
The source list data is public domain.
Additional material © 1999-2013 by Brian Kunde.
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