I have long been hesitant to read this book.

Ever since I read Catch-22 during the summer of 2000, I knew it had a sequel. Heller mentioned it in the preface of the edition I had, spoiling the fact that Yossarian lives! I even knew that my beloved Chaplain Tappman was in it. But I loved Catch-22 so much and was afraid of being disappointed. After all, if this book lived up to the prior's standards, wouldn't I have heard it acclaimed by others? I decided never to read it.

However, my brother had other ideas and got it for my birthday in the spring of 2005. He told me to get over my fears. Still, it stayed in my "to-read" pile. In 2006, I came across another Heller novel in a used book store and picked it up. It was Good as Gold, which was very good, though not up to the level of greatness of Catch-22. Heller's frenzied pace of expanding and contracting spirals seemed consistent, though this book was linear.

Another year and a half passed, and in the fall of 2007, I was trying to decide what book to read next and asked my boyfriend. He said Closing Time, not knowing the story of how the book had come to sit on my to-read shelf. At last, I picked it up.

So why did it take me almost 6 months to finish this book? It wasn't terrible. It was just dense and hard to read quickly. Like Catch-22, it takes longer to read than its word count or entertaining nature would suggest. You can't read Heller quickly without losing the value. Most fast readers skim, but if you skim Heller, you'll get lost and miss everything. So I had to slow down and read a chapter or two at a time.

The other reason it took so long is the weird meta quality of the book. It pulls you out of the story and makes you think about what Heller is doing. At first, I thought it read like good fanfiction of the original, with perfect characterization. But as I continued, I discovered it was more of a crossover or hybrid, mixing Catch-22 and Heller's style with Vonnegut's. It references reality and real authors, including Heller and Vonnegut, and spins into the fantastic in a way that keeps the pacing but seems more like something Vonnegut would have done.

Besides, now I finally understand how Ex-PFC Wintergreen was the most important person in their section of the military during Catch-22.

This book is not the kind that one would pick up and read without first having delved into "Catch-22." Once you have read the original, this sequel has the power to bring back some cherished memories. However, it's important to note that this book doesn't attempt to answer all the questions that the original might have left you with. In fact, I found that it offers a rather strange peek into what one might have expected based on the conclusion of the first novel.

Once again, we are thrust into a strange world of characters, with Heller's penchant for telling his stories in a non-linear fashion that doesn't always seem to make immediate sense. Just like "Catch-22," it probably requires at least a few readings of this installment to truly understand what's going on. And, similar to its predecessor, I felt that the ending was a bit of a letdown, not necessarily flowing smoothly from the events that came before it.

This novel does have many redeeming qualities. It offers a perspective on the decline of values, as seen through the eyes of a man (Yosarian) who began life with dreams and idealism in the first book. Now, he is an elderly man who witnesses the filth of humanity on a daily basis, along with the mindless excesses of the rich and powerful. We see a vivid juxtaposition of these two worlds during a detailed imagining of a high-class wedding at the New York City bus depot.

We also encounter other characters who have grown old and get to hear their stories. This book introduces many more explicitly Jewish characters (whereas the first book steered clear of this theme), and we learn about their struggles to live a life free from discrimination. Ultimately, each character embodies the sorrow of old age. The once-present vigor and independence have vanished, and former idealism and lofty goals for the betterment of humanity have evaporated. As a result, a certain melancholy atmosphere pervades this book, even as we laugh at the absurdities that Heller continuously presents.

The author presents some profound thoughts throughout the text, but there are also many parts that seem disjointed or only loosely connected to the overall theme. We see the chaplain again, but his role seems rather minor and perhaps superfluous. One starts to wonder what the point of this story is, aside from depicting the absurdity and perhaps the meaninglessness of life. The reader may well feel this way, except for the glimpses that Heller's characters offer, such as the importance of good family and friends, or a life well-lived. Perhaps Heller is having a good laugh at us all right now (from somewhere), with his quasi-Dante-inspired look at a world full of characters from the past, set beneath the bus depot!

"He had learned from a lifetime of skepticism that a conviction, even a naïve conviction, was in the last analysis more nourishing than the wasteland of none." Thus, the author presents a profound truth about having a purpose in life, as opposed to the sterile and empty realm of intellectualism.

I truly desired to have a fondness for this book. I had a deep love for "Catch-22." However, with the exception of Sam, the characters in this work are not really endearing. Now, it should be noted that likeability in characters is not typically a criterion I employ for evaluating novels. But here, Heller seems to be overly insistent and obvious in his attempt to make the readers like the characters. Yoassarian is up to his familiar antics (and somehow managed to elude prosecution for desertion), yet without the pressure of countless unknown people trying to kill him, his excessive self-love is not quite as sympathetic.

Heller is too hasty in his pursuit of the picaresque style. The pastor's descent into hell feels a bit excessive. The chapter titled "Dante," which was intended to be a counterpart to "Catch-22"'s "Eternal City" chapter, is an overwrought "exposure" of New York City. It likely appeals mostly to those who "heart" New York and understand all the inside references.

Unfortunately, this book engages in the self-congratulation of THE GREATEST GENERATION. The members of this generation are supposedly so great because they had the misfortune of living through a period of economic depression, which was then followed by one of the worst wars in history.

I don't think I've ever been more disappointed with a book.

Catch-22 is one of my all-time favourite books, so naturally, I had extremely high hopes when I picked up this new work. However, right from the start, I found myself really struggling just to finish it.

The story seemed to lack the depth and charm that made Catch-22 so captivating. It felt flat and uninteresting, and I often found my mind wandering while reading.

I would have been much happier if I'd never started this book in the first place. It's a real shame, as I was really looking forward to a great read, but unfortunately, it just didn't live up to my expectations.

I'm not sure if it's because my standards were set too high by Catch-22, or if the book itself was just not very good. Either way, it's a disappointment that I won't soon forget.

Less of a classic than the original Catch-22 and much more abstract in its topic, this book offers a unique perspective. It's best to view the two books as two completely different stories with the same figures within.

If you've ever closely observed R&D tendering in real life, you'll discover additional humor in this. Many things that occur in such projects are nearly as vividly depicted here as they are in reality.

In my opinion, the moral of the story is clear: simply don't follow the path that capitalism and individualism have lately taken - unless, of course, we desire to witness the destruction of the world. This message holds a certain degree of truth - and it's told in a much better and more original way, without politics intruding into the subject. ;-)

For war there is always enough. It’s peace that’s too expensive.

'Closing Time', this title seems to evoke a sense of reminiscence, perhaps of time lost or the approaching of an end that is much feared.

It is a not-so-famous sequel to the cult classic, 'Catch-22'. This novel delves into the last decades of our main character, Yossarian. It also incorporates subtle details from the lives of Sammy Singer, a fellow gunner in Pianosa, and Lew Rabinowitz, a prisoner of war in World War 2, as they themselves narrate.

Let me be a bit critical here. Joseph Heller, in his ambitious portrayal of post-war America, reflects his ageing account through the thoughts and shocks endured by Yossarian. Through various accounts, one can perceive the vanity in his portrayal and the subtle yet evident display of 90s America, which is充斥着 vain people, public (monetary) ambition, and treachery that elects jokes for Presidency.

'Closing Time' is not just a sequel. It also offers insights into the life of Yossarian as he struggles with his obsession of not being diagnosed with any illness, amidst his second divorce and the pregnancy of a nurse half his age. It's a lot to bear at 68. Parallel narratives are drawn, where the lives and experiences, mostly of the war and life after, are outlined by Sammy and Lew, with an unapologetic and brutal portrayal of the ill-treated Jews at that time.

A common thread that ties their experiences together is late-life depression in the late sixties. With a rather empathetic passion, one can observe that perhaps, somewhere, Heller was trying to present his own life to the readers, given the uncanny references that were established when reading about him and Sammy Singer.

Finally, 'Closing Time', with its mix of bashfulness and brutality, is an enjoyably sarcastic read for anyone who wants to know what happened after Yossarian fled to the States from Pianosa. The Chaplain, Captain Wintergreen, and Milo Minderbinder, who make their infamous appearances, add even more interest as one sees the world as it is through the uncensored eyes of Heller.

That was a truly crazy read.

So much of the book seemed to resonate with the current times, making it highly relatable.

The ending was so captivating that it held my attention firmly, compelling me to keep reading until the very end.

It's rather terrifying to contemplate the possibility that any of the events described in the book, which took place at the White House, could potentially occur in the future.

The author's vivid descriptions and the realistic nature of the story make it all the more alarming.

One can't help but wonder if our world is really headed in such a direction.

This book has definitely left a lasting impression on me and has made me think twice about the state of our society and the potential for such events to unfold.

It serves as a wake-up call and a reminder that we need to be vigilant and take steps to prevent any such catastrophes from happening in real life.

Overall, it was a thought-provoking and engaging read that I would highly recommend to others.

Hilarious, meandering, and absurd - these are the words that best describe this work. It has just enough color to make it engaging, but not so much that it becomes Kafkaesque. There are more literary references, and it's clear that Heller has done some reading.

The absurdities of the war machine have come home and are now found within American capitalism. Milo is thriving in this environment. The story also explores the postwar lives of the Great Generation.

The ending is a bit weird, but I was still along for the ride. It's a triage of different elements - humor, absurdity, and social commentary - that come together to create a unique and memorable piece of literature.

Overall, it's a work that makes you think while also making you laugh. It's a testament to Heller's skill as a writer that he can balance these different elements so effectively. Whether you're a fan of war literature, social satire, or just good writing in general, this is a work that is well worth your time.

A very long awaited follow up to Catch 22, this new work was always facing an uphill battle. It was never going to live up to its predecessor, which had set such a high standard. And indeed, in my opinion, it doesn't quite reach those lofty heights.

However, it's still a trademark Heller book. It contains some great wisdom that makes you stop and think, and the writing is beautiful in places. Heller's unique style and perspective are still very much present.

Despite not being as good as Catch 22, it's still a worthwhile read for fans of the author. It offers a continuation of some of the themes and ideas that made the original so popular, and it has its own charm and appeal.

In conclusion, while it may not be a classic like its predecessor, it's still a solid addition to Heller's body of work.

Personally, I firmly believe that Heller demonstrates remarkable proficiency in satirizing the bureaucratic red tape within this book.

This very aspect served as the catalyst that piqued my interest and compelled me to engage with the text.

Thankfully, my patience was handsomely rewarded.

All things considered, it is an okay book. However, when compared to its predecessor, it falls short in several aspects.

It lacks the depth, the originality, and the overall impact that its predecessor managed to achieve.

Nonetheless, it still has its merits and can provide some entertainment and food for thought.

Perhaps with a more critical eye and a willingness to overlook its flaws, one can find some value in this book.

But in the end, it will always be overshadowed by the brilliance of its predecessor.

The pseudo-sequel of Catch-22,

follows a similar set of characters. Instead of dealing humorously with the (more or less) great adventures of war,

we see Yossarian and others struggling with old age and civilian life.

While incorporating many of the same humorous elements as its predecessor,

Closing Time presents itself as a more mature novel that forces the reader to confront their own decline.

"Life forever or die trying," perhaps,

but as death approaches, we will lose this fighting spirit,

and the only means at our disposal is our memory to make the present meaningful.

It makes us realize that as we age, we must come to terms with the fact that our lives are changing and that we need to find new ways to find purpose and value in the present moment.

Closing Time is a thought-provoking and poignant novel that offers a unique perspective on the human experience of aging and mortality.

DNF nach 50 Seiten

Perhaps I should have given this book more time, but somehow it just wasn't for me. Many reviews pointed out that this book is really crazy, which to be honest, even made me curious.

Unfortunately, at least the first few pages were mainly just white men complaining. And that's something I really don't need. Briefly, there was a critical examination of World War II, but then the plot quickly veered off again.

At the latest when I realize that I'm just flipping through the pages without really reading, it's time to put the book aside and look for something else. I think it's important to know when a book isn't engaging us and to be willing to move on to something that will. Maybe this book just wasn't the right fit for me at this time. There are so many other great books out there waiting to be discovered.