4.6 stars!

This political, comical satirical novel truly rivals Catch-22 for laughs. It marks a return to the playful verbal word play and comic situations that were characteristic of Catch-22, after the dark and deeply unhappy narrative of 1974's "Something Happened". (Don't misunderstand me. Something Happened is indeed a great book.)

As I observe the absurd modern political landscape of today unfolding right before my astonished eyes, Good as Gold appears rational and realistic. I once thought Heller was exaggerating, but not anymore. Heller has unveiled the reality of a world that has gone mad.

“Gold was not sure of many things, but he was definite about one: for every successful person he knew, he could name at least two others of greater ability, better, and higher intelligence who, by comparison, had failed.”

Bruce Gold, a Jewish university English professor and the author of many unread but important articles in diminutive journals, residing in New York City, is indirectly offered the job of Secretary of the United States by the President. Of course, Bruce Gold must sell his soul and divorce his wife.

“Once when Gold was visiting in Florida, his father drew him across the street just to meet some friends and introduced him by saying, 'This is my son's brother. The one that never amounted to much.'”

The extended family get-together scene is uproariously funny. And the rest? Well, think Catch-22 in Washington D.C.

“ 'What are you making?' he'd asked her one time out of curiosity that could no longer be borne in silence.

'You'll see,' she replied mysteriously.

He consulted his father. 'Pa, what's she making?'

'Mind your own business.'

'I was only asking.'

'Don't ask personal questions.'

'Rose, what's she knitting?' he asked his sister.

'Wool,' Belle answered.

'Belle, I know that. But what's she doing with it?'

'Knitting,' said Esther. ”

This book is an essential addition to any serious comedic literature collection. It offers a unique blend of humor and social commentary that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. Whether you're a fan of political satire or just looking for a good laugh, Good as Gold is definitely worth a read.

I have first read the Czech translation (a good one, by Michael Žantovský).

It was truly impossible to "catch" all the references and fully absorb all the layers within just one read.

I must admit that during my initial reading, I had skipped the political passages and instead amused myself with the personal interactions and family scenes.

However, after repeatedly going back to the book, I have gradually uncovered an exceptional insight into the world of politics and the diverse ambitions at play.

Here, it is described with unrelenting hyperbole, painting a vivid picture.

Gold, as the hero, is not particularly likable. But in my opinion, that is not necessarily required to convey the message.

When looking at the political somersaults happening worldwide nowadays, one often wonders what exactly is transpiring behind the scenes.

Well, this book presents one possible version, offering a unique perspective on the complex and often mysterious world of politics.

It's like Catch-22, yet not quite as excellent. The critique of US politics and society seems rather outdated (evidently). However, in a certain sense, it's kind of amusing to read it nowadays. It's similar to someone griping about the perils of children reading an excessive number of comic books. But hey, bro, the kids are now in the Metaverse. Things have gotten a whole lot worse. It's as if the concerns expressed in the original work are from a bygone era, when compared to the current state of affairs. The world has advanced so much, and what was once considered a significant issue now pales in comparison to the new challenges and phenomena we face. Reading this old criticism now gives us a sense of how much has changed and how our perspectives have evolved.

The book seems to be a strange blend of three parts.
Firstly, there is a political satire similar to "Catch 22", which is quite funny and engaging. It offers a unique perspective on political absurdities and makes you think while also making you laugh.
Secondly, there is a family drama aspect that is simply irritating. For me, it feels completely foreign to reality. The relationships and conflicts within the family seem forced and unconvincing, lacking the depth and authenticity that would make it a compelling read.
Finally, there is the issue of the Jewish jokes. The book is so interspersed with Yiddish that at times it becomes completely unreadable. It's as if the author is trying too hard to incorporate this aspect without considering the impact it has on the overall flow and comprehension of the text.

In 1979, a remarkable story unfolded. It was a tale that encapsulated the journey of children growing up, their parents growing old, and friends gradually growing apart.

As the years passed, the children evolved from innocent youngsters into independent individuals, filled with dreams and aspirations. They navigated the challenges of adolescence and embarked on their own paths in life.

Meanwhile, their parents, who had once been the pillars of strength, began to show the signs of aging. Their wisdom and experience became a guiding light for their children, but they also faced the inevitable reality of growing older.

And the friends, who had shared countless memories and adventures, found themselves on different trajectories. As life took them in various directions, they drifted apart, sometimes losing touch completely.

Yet, within this story of change and separation, there were also moments of connection and remembrance. The bonds that had been formed in childhood still held a special place in their hearts, and they would often look back on those precious times with a sense of nostalgia.

This story of 1979 serves as a reminder that life is a continuous cycle of growth and change, and that while some things may fade away, the memories and lessons we carry with us will always remain.

I truly adored this book!

There were multiple instances where I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

I would rate "Good as Gold" on par with "Catch-22", although the plot isn't nearly as convoluted as some of Heller's earlier masterpieces.

It is an absolute must-read for anyone who has a penchant for satire and razor-sharp dialogue.

The story is filled with witty remarks and clever twists that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

Heller's ability to create such memorable characters and situations is truly remarkable.

Whether you're a long-time fan of his work or new to his writing, "Good as Gold" is sure to leave you entertained and satisfied.

So, don't hesitate to pick up a copy and discover the hilarity and brilliance that awaits within its pages.

Compared to Vonnegut's absurd creations, Heller's works are less fantastic and more agonizing, which I find rather appealing. The sentences seem to contradict each other deliberately, without any resolution, often giving me a visceral reaction. I read "Catch-22" first, then something happened, and then this book, with some others in between. But I would try to describe it as a narrative. Something happened gets rid of much of the light humor of "Catch-22" and delves deeper into the sense of being unable to escape not only war but also a middling life. It's brutal, yet there's a feeling that lingers after reading. Heller's main character thinking, "God, I miss the war" after decades is truly awful. After reading nearly a thousand pages of Heller's writing, coming to such a conclusion is intense, to say the least. I also hope that after reading this third book, I can think a little more like him.

Regarding "Something Happened," I thought to myself, "I wish I could be in that situation so that I could prove to myself I wouldn't be stuck," as if that middling life awaits us all at some point. The lack of much to say about "Good as Gold" so far may not be entirely representative, as I'm writing this without having reviewed the first two earlier. But "Good as Gold" strikes me as a weaker entry, though with a more granular absurdity. Sentence after sentence, they undo each other without real resolution, only leaving behind not-so-great feelings for Gold. Another character who isn't very respectable but is terribly relatable, I suppose. It feels like the absurdity in this book becomes muscle memory by the end, as if Heller just relied on it more and more to finish the book.

His commentary on government is, I suppose, awfully fun. But I'm not sure what his experience with it was compared to the first two books I read about war and middling life (class, family, individual). I haven't read the rest of his novels, so I can't really compare much more. I suspect I'm wrong. In the contradiction mentioned, we find beauty, joy, frustration, depression, rage, and more. In trying to contemplate the paradox that emerges from it, Heller always finds opportunities to make an unexpected joke, which is wonderfully awful. It's scary how true to life he makes it feel, how honest he is in depicting awfulness and the fleeting moments of positive stuff. I'm not convinced he hasn't managed to make me read a biography of Kissinger here. And of course, there's the whole Jewish experience, but you'd have to read it to experience it secondhand.

This book seems to have an excessive focus on Kissinger. It feels as if Kissinger's presence looms large on almost every page. There are detailed accounts of his actions, his thoughts, and his influence. While Kissinger is无疑 an important figure in history, one wonders if the book might have benefited from a more balanced approach. Perhaps there could have been more exploration of other individuals or events that were equally significant. As it stands, the reader is left with the impression that Kissinger is the central and almost sole protagonist of the story. This may limit the book's ability to provide a comprehensive and diverse view of the subject matter.

I read this book in my early 20s and vividly remember thinking it was truly hilarious.

However, now that I am in my late 50s, I don't perceive much that is humorous in it anymore. I believe it has not aged gracefully with the passage of time.

Moreover, approximately three quarters of the way through, there are dozens of pages where every single sentence contains some Yiddish. To the extent that without a good understanding of Yiddish, it is at best exasperating, but mainly insurmountable.

The humor in this book depends on repetitious contradictions, similar to Milo Milobender in Catch 22. But somehow, it fails to come anywhere close to that magnificent book.

Finally, the ending appears to be very hasty and lacking in the necessary depth and development.

Overall, my perception of this book has significantly changed over the years, and I can no longer view it in the same light as I did when I was younger.

Joseph Heller is a well-known author, but in my opinion, everything he wrote except for Catch-22 is of extremely poor quality. It's so bad that I'm starting to lean towards the theory that it might have been plagiarized.

His other works lack the depth, the unique style, and the captivating storytelling that made Catch-22 such a classic. They seem to be just a jumble of words and ideas that don't come together in a meaningful way.

Of course, it's just a theory, but the contrast between Catch-22 and his other writings is so stark that it makes one wonder. Maybe there's something more to it than meets the eye.

Until there's some concrete evidence to prove or disprove this theory, I'll continue to believe that Joseph Heller's other works are not worth the time or effort to read.

A very fine book indeed. Just like all of Heller's works, a palpable sense of chaos and hopelessness exudes from its pages.

"Every change is for the worst," and truly, no matter what actions one takes, it often seems to make little difference.

This book may give the initial impression of being short, but in reality, it can be rather challenging to read in long sittings. I found myself reading it over the course of many weeks, in short bursts. Its repetitive nature can, at times, become tiresome.

However, the depiction of government in this book is both hilarious and engaging. In my opinion, it is the best aspect of the entire work, and everyone can relate to it on some level. After all, we have all had to grapple with the bureaucracy in one form or another.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book is a worthwhile read that offers unique insights into the human condition and the often absurd nature of our world.

I now have three Heller novels under my belt, and I swear it seems like each time I've cracked one of his books, I'm reading a different author. There are some tell-tale mannerisms that give him away, but each work is very distinct.

The first was "Catch-22", and as the first, now feels to me like Classic-Heller, where obliviously dense characters talk around in circles to demonstrate the senselessness of war. Next came "Something Happened", which felt like Updike-Heller, in which we follow around a middle-class everyman through the doldrums of his personal life and give witness to the nervous elevation of his everyday mundanity to almost epic poeticism. And now with "Good as Gold", I feel like I'm reading Roth-Heller, in which a grumpy Jew laments his heritage and all the subsequent burdens it saddles him with in his many lives: family, extra-marital, business, political, etc.

"Oh, and I almost forgot I also read 'Closing Time', but that's just a slightly more opaque extension of the book to which it is a sequel, 'Catch-22', and therefore, Classic-Heller."

"Good as Gold" succeeds to a degree in painting the picture of a neurotic college professor, Bruce Gold, who is not immediately likable. He sulks, he complains, he projects a bit of self-hatred onto his sometimes unlikable family. He cheats on his wife. He's surrounded by seemingly closeted anti-semites and is tasked with writing a book about the Jewish experience in America, which he readily agrees to do even though he's not quite sure he's actually had a proper Jewish experience.

There are two distinct tones in this work. The first, which echoes Philip Roth, in which Heller rather poignantly delves into the family history of Gold. Many of his siblings and especially his father are portrayed initially as horrible people. As Heller explores the lives of brother Sid and father Julius, in particular, they become far more sympathetic characters. I was actually quite moved by the tangle of love and hate running between the various siblings and their widower father.

The second tone harkens back to "Catch-22", and is almost jarring the way its silly conversations of double-speak are juxtaposed against the more serious Gold family history. In Heller's first novel, this paradoxical dialogue is used to skewer the American military, while here he is attacking the government, as we follow Gold's ambition to become the first Jewish Secretary of State (even though Henry Kissinger beat him to it). While entertaining, all of the contradictory banter isn't quite as amusing as it was in "Catch-22". Whereas in the original work, all of the convoluted, nonsensical logic was laid out very methodically until you suddenly realized that nothing anyone said made any sense, "Good As Gold" just throws out such statements time after time, almost to the point of it feeling gimmicky. It's still a neat trick to see, but not quite as novel as the first time I saw it.

There are a few odd ticks that Heller tosses out that didn't really ruin the book or anything, but did stand out. At one point, Heller, for one single paragraph, breaks the fourth wall, as he begins explaining some of the things he is considering next for Gold's story. He then dismisses the ideas and gets back to being a regular old narrator. (Although in a sorta-kinda dream sequence later in the book, he actually revisits those ideas.) Secondly, at one point, Gold seems to suddenly find himself in a good mood and begins doing research on a book he wants to write about Henry Kissinger. There is then a rather lengthy discussion about Henry Kissinger. While I understand that Kissinger's experiences in Washington do bear some light on the "Jewish Experience in America", and though there is a through-line about Gold insistently despising Kissinger, it was rather odd to suddenly be spending such an in-depth moment listening to a detailed discourse about him. An odd moment, at the very least.

In the end, I did enjoy the novel and read it rather quickly despite its size. And quirks aside, I still look forward to getting into another Heller novel to see if a fourth version of the author comes out to play.