This is a very strange book. It is extremely well-written and translated. However, I simply cannot understand what it is about. Of course, it is far from Catch-22.

The language used in the book is vivid and engaging, but the plot seems to be rather convoluted and difficult to follow. It jumps from one scene to another without much explanation, leaving the reader confused and disoriented.

Despite its flaws, the book does have some redeeming qualities. The characters are well-developed and the descriptions of the settings are quite detailed. It is clear that the author has put a lot of effort into creating this world.

Overall, while this book may not be to everyone's taste, it is still worth reading for those who are looking for something a little different. It may take some time and effort to fully understand, but the rewards are well worth it.

The writing is brilliant.

Although sometimes the humor seems a bit superficial, but this also happened with Dickens and Mark Twain.

We should not simply dismiss the work because of this minor flaw.

After all, every writer has their own unique style and characteristics.

The author's use of language and description is very vivid, which can make readers feel as if they are in the scene.

Moreover, the story itself is also very interesting and engaging, which can arouse readers' curiosity and desire to read.

In general, this is a very good work that is worth reading and savoring carefully.

I truly have a deep affection for the concept of the point of view. It is fascinating how as the portrait takes shape, the levels of sophistication and perception develop.

Each stroke and detail added to the portrait seems to bring with it a new layer of understanding and depth.

The artist's perspective guides the viewer through the piece, allowing them to experience the subject in a unique way.

As the portrait evolves, so does our ability to see and appreciate the nuances and subtleties within it.

It is like uncovering a hidden story or a secret world that only the artist has access to.

The development of the levels of sophistication and perception is a journey that both the artist and the viewer embark on together, and it is one that never fails to amaze and inspire.

I find myself constantly drawn to this aspect of art, as it allows me to explore and expand my own understanding of the world around me.

Vintage Heller. It is devastatingly prescient and hilariously scathing. In fact, there are too many passages within it that could have been written in 2019. This is not really because Heller is incredibly prescient. Instead, it is because the past is prologue and history has a tendency to repeat itself. Even after several hundred centuries, humanity has not changed all that much.

Consider the following quotes from the work:

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Peace on earth would mean the end of civilization as we know it.

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Wisdom consists in knowing there is no such thing.

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\\n    From men motivated by moral certitude, history teaches, no lasting good ever comes.\\n  

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I am going to give this work high marks. However, I still rank it slightly below Catch-22 and God Knows. The reason for this is simply because of the unique qualities and impact of Catch-22 and God Knows.

I absolutely adored this book!

From the very first page, it had me completely hooked. The story was engaging, filled with interesting characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The author's writing style was captivating, making it easy for me to lose myself in the world of the book. I found myself constantly thinking about the story and the characters even when I wasn't reading.

It was a truly enjoyable read that I would highly recommend to anyone. Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone.

I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

Aristotle, lost in deep thought as he contemplates the bust of Homer, his mind frequently drifts to Socrates. Meanwhile, Rembrandt, with his masterful strokes of paint, dresses Aristotle in a white Renaissance surplice and a medieval black robe, enshrouding him in the mysterious play of shadows.

Wow.

So begins the captivating first sentence of Joseph Heller's Picture This. Through Rembrandt's renowned painting "Aristotle contemplating a bust of Homer," Heller weaves a rich tapestry that spans ancient Greece, the Dutch in the seventeenth century, and the modern era. He tells the poignant story of the decline of Athens and reveals its astonishing relevance in the present day. In those distant times and in other eras as well, in those specific locations and in many more places, almost every page of this work prompts us to reflect on the growth and decay of both nations and individuals. It is, indeed, a profound story of life itself, one that invites us to explore the complex and ever-evolving nature of human existence.

My least favorite among Joe Heller's books is this one. It seemed to take an eternity for me to get through it, and in the end, I didn't even keep it.

If you happen to be a fan of art, perhaps you might like it more than I did. There isn't anything specifically offensive about it (otherwise, I would have surely placed it in my "thrown with great force" list). It simply failed to maintain my interest throughout.

Maybe it's because my tastes don't align with the particular style or subject matter that this book presents. Or perhaps I was expecting something different from Heller. Whatever the reason, for me, this book just didn't hit the mark.

I'm sure there are others out there who will find great value and enjoyment in it, but unfortunately, I'm not one of them.

This lesser known novel by Heller has received really mixed reviews from people.

However, Aristotle Comtemplating a Bust of Homer by Rembrandt is my favorite painting. In fact, a review I did of this painting earned me an 'A' in Art History.

This book does a remarkable job of bringing the painting and its history to life, albeit in a fictitious way. It weaves a captivating story around the painting, delving into the possible thoughts and emotions of Aristotle as he contemplates the bust of Homer.

If you can manage to keep track of what's going on in the book, you'll find it truly entertaining. The author's vivid descriptions and imaginative plot make it a page-turner. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in art, history, or just a good story.

Give it a try and see for yourself how this novel can transport you into the world of Rembrandt's masterpiece.

I read this book for the first time many years ago.

The bits that I loved then, I loved again.

The story of Rembrandt's painting "Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer" is truly remarkable. It is told sometimes from the perspective of the painter and sometimes from the perspective of the subject, which makes it both brilliant and funny.

The painting seems to have a life of its own as it travels from place to place until it finally reaches its resting place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

However, I must confess that I got a bit lost in some of the Greek history passages.

Although I am sure they were related to the theme of the book, I wasn't always certain how they fit in.

Nevertheless, returning for a second look was definitely a worthwhile experience. It allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the painting and its significance, and to appreciate the author's skill in weaving together a complex and engaging story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in art, history, or simply a good read.

Captivating fiction presents the character Aristotle in a painting by Rembrandt. In this unique tale, Aristotle "lives" as he is being painted. He then embarks on a journey, traveling from the artist's studio in Amsterdam to his first owner in Italy. Eventually, he winds up in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Throughout the book, Aristotle engages in deep philosophizing about human nature, with a particular focus on greed, both for money and power. Heller skillfully draws parallels between the fall of the ancient Greek civilization and that of the later Dutch world power during Rembrandt's time. It becomes clear that both declines offer valuable lessons for us to learn. This is truly powerful stuff. There is an element of cynicism, yet much of it is also prophetic, making us reflect on our own society and the potential pitfalls that lie ahead.

When this book first came out, the reviews were rather mediocre.

So, I patiently waited until it was released in paperback.

This book is not for everyone, but it contains fascinating elements such as Rembrandt, Aristotle,

the significance of the Potato, and how even a democracy

where most of the people are given a clear choice can make foolish decisions.

I was truly astounded by this book. (And remember, Socrates was indeed guilty as charged.)

The author's ability to combine these diverse topics and present them in an engaging manner is remarkable.

It makes you think about history, philosophy, and the nature of society in a whole new light.

Despite the initial so-so reviews, I'm glad I gave this book a chance.

It has become one of my favorites and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an open mind and a thirst for knowledge.

I'm not sure what's more remarkable about "Picture This". Is it Joseph Heller's chameleon-like talent for penning something that doesn't feel like any of his other works, yet still retains a distinct Hellerian flavor? Or is it his ability to blend such a diverse jumble of elements that aren't even connected by a plot, and still make it work as a novel?

According to the book's general synopsis, "Picture This" is meant to be an eyewitness account of history through the eyes of a Rembrandt painting of Aristotle contemplating a bust of Homer. That alone would have been a novel enough premise to make for an engaging read. But while Heller does devote some attention to this painting's centuries-long journey from Holland to the Metropolitan Art Museum in Manhattan, and while there is a spotlight on 17th Century Amsterdam and significant portions of its political history, the largest section of the book is dedicated to the life and times of Socrates, and the political and military history of Ancient Greece.

There are certain thematic threads that tie together the meandering narrative. Heller's omniscient commentary on the self-defeating military aggression of the Athenians, their contradictory views on the value and worthlessness of democracy, and their fierce rebuttal against the free-thinking philosophers of the time all echo the sentiments of American society today. What held true two thousand years ago, still held true twenty years ago (when "Picture This" was written), and still holds true today. Heller has always been a shrewd observer of the cultural oxymoron.

But the randomness with which he leaps from one era to another, from one character to another, from one version of reality to another, it all but requires him to engage readers immediately before they have a chance to question what on earth is going on. And in this, Heller succeeds, painting a vivid picture (pun very much intended) of the times of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, then zipping over to flesh out Rembrandt's personality, lifestyle, and family dramas, before sketching in the details of the supposed narrator-painting across time and continents. Each segment stands up so well that you almost forget that any pretense of linear storytelling (or any storytelling at all) has been thrown out the window.

Another thread Heller weaves through the various eras is the question of what constitutes reality and history. The fact that the figure in the Rembrandt painting is supposed to represent a man whose image no one has ever actually seen is paired with the idea that the bust of Homer in the picture is indeed a painting of a reproduction of a bust of another man whose image no one has ever seen. The painting, and indeed, the accounts of Ancient Greece and the character sketches of the great philosophers, are all acknowledged to be based on third, fourth, fifth-hand knowledge passed down across centuries and millennia, interpreted and reinterpreted countless times by people whose only knowledge of the events they describe are other interpretations of other interpretations. Heller doesn't shy away from the seemingly artificial nature of what history is supposed to tell us. Indeed, he constantly draws our attention to it, challenging us to wonder what is supposed to be history and what is fiction.

"Catch-22" being my first Joseph Heller novel, it has always felt to me to be the quintessential Heller. But then came the Roth-Heller of "Good As Gold", and the Updike-Heller of "Something Happened". "Picture This", with its fixation on the cultural happenings of ancient times and its highlighting of the absurdity of human society, is like some strange mix between Robert Graves and Douglas Adams. I've only got a few more Heller novels to go until I've read them all. God only knows (pun intended again) what other versions of him are still waiting to be discovered by this highly entertained reader.