Don't waste your precious time!

I was on the verge of abandoning this book halfway through but chose to persevere. Clearly, it's not in the same league as Catch-22. However, if one were to draw a comparison, the book has a somewhat different structure. While C22 focuses on character development first and then推进 the story, CT spreads out the character building and backstory.

It's evident that this book is written about the elderly, by the elderly, perhaps for the elderly, and it shows. We understand that getting old isn't pleasant, but this book repeats so many lines about the same ailments that I can't determine if Heller has Alzheimer's or is making a commentary on it. Reading a book written by someone with an AARP card, with characters of the same age discussing their sexual exploits either at that age or when they were younger, just feels revolting.

There are a few areas where the magic of C22 is captured in the dialogue, which should at least make you chuckle a little and remind you of the superior book. CT is disappointing in that in C22, you were gradually building, without fully realizing it, towards the complete story of Snowden. Here, one thinks you are building towards what happened to Yossarian after WW2, but it's barely mentioned until three-quarters of the way through, and then it's just a couple of paragraphs. Maybe the letdown of nothing remarkable happening to Yo-Yo is the continued irony of Heller's writing, or maybe it's just a bad book. One bright spot is Senor Gaffney, which might prevent the book from being consigned to the trash.

Without further research, some of the plot seems to be lifted from Dr. Strangelove, with the eponymous character's name used in this book. The black comedy nature of both C22, CS, and DS all poke fun at the bureaucracy of the government and the military, but this latest offering by Heller just comes too close to what was written and filmed 40 years earlier. Even if CT had been written in the 60s, DS and its inspiration, Red Alert, would already have been out.

If you have time to kill and nothing better to do, then read this. Otherwise, if you have other books waiting on your shelf, turn to them first.

Long, boring, dull.

These are the words that come to mind when describing this piece. It seems as if it could be effortlessly cut in half without causing any significant detriment to the story. In fact, there is very little of a story to speak of - just the random ramblings of an old man about the past days.

While there are some good surreal parts that have a bit of a Catch-22esque feel to them, overall, it feels like a waste of time.

To the "never open again" pile it shall go.

PS. Heller from time to time mentions good soldier Schweik. However, sorry to say, but this portrayal is absolutely out of Hašek's character. It is quite obvious that Heller did not bother to read Adventures of good solder Švejk at all.

This lack of understanding and misrepresentation is rather disappointing and detracts from the overall quality of the work.

Perhaps if Heller had taken the time to familiarize himself with the original character, his mentions would have been more accurate and added value to the piece.

As it stands, it just seems like a missed opportunity.

Catch 22 is my favorite book, and I truly desired to relish this one as well.

In certain aspects, I did take pleasure in reconnecting with Yossarian and Joseph Heller's distinct brand of humor. For some reason, it strikes a chord within me on a profound level.

However, in far more instances, it felt as if I were watching Top Gun Maverick once more. The characters seemed to be tired and worn-out "greatest hits" renditions of those from the past. They lacked a great deal of creativity and fresh vitality.

Nonetheless, I devoured this book and am content that I read it. It may not have lived up to all of my expectations, but it still had its moments that kept me engaged and entertained.

Perhaps it's a case of not being able to recapture the magic of the original, but there's still something to be said for revisiting these familiar characters and their stories.

Overall, while it may not be a masterpiece like its predecessor, it's still a worthwhile read for fans of Catch 22.

I have always been a great admirer of his work, especially his renowned "Catch-22". That book was a masterpiece, filled with unique characters, a captivating plot, and brilliant satire that left a lasting impression on me.

However, when I picked up this latest work, I was extremely disappointed. On multiple levels, it failed to meet my expectations. The characters seemed flat and uninteresting, lacking the depth and complexity that made the characters in "Catch-22" so memorable.

The plot was also rather lackluster. It didn't have the same twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat in his previous work. Instead, it felt predictable and unengaging.

Even the satire, which was one of the highlights of his earlier books, seemed to be missing or at least not as sharp. It didn't have the same power to make me think and question the world around me.

As a result, I could barely bring myself to skim through the last half of the book. It was a real letdown, and I hope that his future works will return to the high standards that he has set for himself in the past. Oh well...

DNF.

It wasn't what I expected. I put it aside for now. It's probably not going to be picked up again.

Maybe this is heresy, but I think I liked this significantly more than "Catch 22."

At the very least, I found it far less maddening. The convoluted and often frustrating nature of "Catch 22" sometimes made it a bit of a chore to get through. In contrast, this other work had a certain charm and appeal that kept me engaged from start to finish.

While it might be argued that the lack of that maddening quality means it is not quite as effective as "Catch 22," I would counter that effectiveness can be measured in different ways. Just because it doesn't have the same level of psychological complexity or the ability to make you question everything doesn't mean it's not a great piece of literature.

In fact, I found it to be more enjoyable precisely because it didn't have those elements that made "Catch 22" so challenging. It allowed me to simply relax and enjoy the story for what it was, without getting bogged down in the details or feeling constantly frustrated.

So, while my opinion may be heretical to some, I stand by my belief that this work is a great read and one that I would highly recommend to others.

My first abandoned book was a real disappointment.

And Catch 22, which was and still is in my Top 10 favorite books, I had such high hopes for it.

However, to my great surprise and dismay, I found this particular book completely unreadable.

I started reading it with anticipation, eager to explore the story and characters that I had heard so much about.

But as I delved deeper into the pages, I struggled to make sense of the convoluted plot and the complex language.

The writing style seemed disjointed and confusing, making it difficult for me to follow along.

I tried my best to persevere, thinking that perhaps it would get better as I continued.

But after several attempts, I finally had to admit defeat and put the book aside.

It was a real letdown, especially considering how much I had looked forward to reading it.

Nevertheless, I still have a great appreciation for Catch 22 and the other books in my Top 10, and I will continue to explore new literature in the hopes of finding more hidden gems.

Closing Time is a truly disappointing sequel to the remarkable Catch-22. It is glaringly lacking in numerous elements that contributed to the greatness of the first book.

While there are a few good jokes sprinkled throughout, the overall book is a jumbled and chaotic mess, offering little to no reward for the reader. Just like its predecessor, some chapters are deliberately confusing and incoherent, yet they lack the same charm and quirkiness that made Catch-22 so successful.

The "billionaires in the after-life" sub-plot seems rather baffling. Does anyone really know or care about it?

This time around, having the characters revisit the same events from their perspectives feels not only repetitive but also adds no real value to the story. Moreover, all the callbacks to the major incidents from Catch-22 only serve to remind us of how much superior the prequel was.

Heller's insertion of himself and Kurt Vonnegut as soldiers in a character's flashback, along with other characters quoting Camus and referencing Dante's Inferno with little relevance or significant payout, makes the pop culture references in the book seem superficial. More often than not, they feel like they are used merely to fill up space rather than offer any meaningful insight into the plot.

Sammy and Claire's monologues are really the only slightly redeeming aspects of this otherwise lackluster book.

The first book was a rather slow-paced one when it came to truly appreciating it. Although I never completely loved it, I did come to highly value it due to its excellent execution.

The second book, on the other hand, gave me a similar feeling of confusion, and unfortunately, it never got resolved.

I can't really claim to know what the overall plot was as it felt like a hazy dream being described. It's set well after the war. All the surviving characters are now seniors, yet they are still engaged in similar shenanigans as before. However, this time it's in the U.S. and involves government work instead of being abroad with the military.

The events in the book are presented in chronological order rather than jumping around in time, but it's extremely difficult to understand what was happening and why anything occurred. And then, there was a so-called "happy" (?) ending despite the start of another war.

I really wish I could have appreciated it more. I'll definitely need someone to explain it to me.

I recently delved into /Closing Time/, the much-anticipated sequel to the iconic Catch-22 penned by Joseph Heller.

The moment I started reading, I was drawn back into the world that Heller had so masterfully created in the original. However, it quickly became evident that while /Closing Time/ had its merits, it couldn't quite match the brilliance of its predecessor.

For fans of Catch-22, this book is a must-read. It offers a continuation of the story and allows us to revisit some of the beloved characters. But, as with any sequel, there are inevitable comparisons. And unfortunately, in this case, /Closing Time/ falls short in certain aspects.

Nonetheless, it still manages to hold our attention and provides some thought-provoking moments. It's a testament to Heller's writing skills that even a book that doesn't reach the same heights as its predecessor can still be engaging and enjoyable.

If you're looking for a book that will transport you back to the world of Catch-22, then /Closing Time/ is worth a read. Just don't go in with overly high expectations.

You know how highly regarded Catch-22 is? How it has remained relevant and timeless over the years? Well, this book in question - it doesn't quite measure up. It does have its moments of being kind of funny, but to be honest, you've likely witnessed much better satire on South Park. The humor in this book feels a bit forced and lacking in the depth and originality that one would expect from a truly great work of satire. It fails to really capture the essence and complexity of the human condition in the way that Catch-22 does so masterfully. While it may provide a few chuckles here and there, it ultimately falls short of being a truly memorable and impactful piece of literature.

I was a cadet of this squadron. Perhaps, for example, the question of this book would have been answered.

On the other hand, one of the common themes is written about the topic of the Second World War. It is told from the perspective of American aviation personnel who were located at the destinations in Italy during the Allied period of the Second World War.

This squadron and its cadets had a unique story to tell. The cadets, like myself, were part of something larger during that time. The Second World War was a significant event that had a profound impact on the world.

The American aviation personnel played an important role in the war effort. Their experiences and perspectives provide valuable insights into the events that took place.

Studying this topic can help us better understand the history of that era and the sacrifices that were made. It also allows us to appreciate the bravery and determination of those who served.

Overall, the story of this squadron and the Second World War is an important one that should be remembered and studied.