This book was far from being as good as gold. In fact, it was extremely bad.

It might have been marginally readable under certain circumstances. If you have a penchant for reading about irritating Jewish families, don't mind that none of the characters in the book are likable, and find the antics of contradictory politicians infinitely amusing, then perhaps you could tolerate it.

I only managed to finish it out of a morbid curiosity to see if it could somehow get even worse. And indeed it did.

Near the end, Heller broke his narrative to make a meta-statement about what he should have his character do. Later, he presented several options for a sentence but failed to clarify which one he actually intended to occur. As a result, it reads more like a rough first draft.

The story aimlessly meanders from one time and place to another, the characters are one-dimensional, and the one somewhat amusing aspect, the hopelessly contradictory politician, is overused to the point of exhaustion.

I vividly remember that Catch-22 was nowhere near this糟糕.

I was definitely not a fan of this book.

Heller's writing style is indeed fine, yet I simply did not have any interest in the story. It was rather vulgar, and there was only one character who had any redeeming qualities, and that character was essentially the victim.

The main character is extremely selfish, immoral, petty, and possesses just about every other bad attribute one can think of. He is truly a jerk. His family members are also a bunch of jerks. His peers are no better, being a bunch of jerks as well.

Only his wife is kind and decent, but unfortunately, he lies and cheats on her repeatedly.

The book was intended to offer a humorous perspective on politics and the losers running the government, but somehow, I completely missed the humor. In conclusion, I am not a fan of this book at all!

Heller is known for being rather wordy in his writing. His descriptions and explanations often go on for what seems like an eternity. However, despite this flaw, I find myself being a sucker for his work. There is something about his style that draws me in and keeps me engaged.

Maybe it's the depth of his characters or the complexity of his plots. Whatever it is, I can't seem to resist the allure of Heller's words. Even when I'm frustrated with the excessive verbosity, I still find myself coming back for more.

It's as if he has cast a spell on me, and I'm helpless to break free. I know that some people might find his writing tedious or boring, but for me, it's a guilty pleasure. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next, even if I know it will be filled with more words than I can handle.

Not a bad book at all.

It's the first relatively long book that I've read in quite a while, consisting of about 450 pages. As a result, it took me a bit more time to finish reading it.

This book contains some really great lines that are both thought-provoking and pretty funny. However, some chapters seemed to drag on a bit too much.

I specifically had a great liking for the parts with dialogue, which made up most of the book. The parts that lulled were typically those related to Gold's (the protagonist) research for his writings.

Overall, I would rate this book 3.5 stars. I'm definitely interested in reading more works by Joseph Heller in the future.

I believe there is more to discover and enjoy in his literary creations.

His unique writing style and the way he presents the story have left a lasting impression on me.

Despite the few drawbacks, the book as a whole is an enjoyable read.

I'm looking forward to seeing what else Joseph Heller has to offer.

Maybe his other books will be even more captivating and engaging.

Who knows? I can't wait to find out.

This book is truly remarkable.

It is both funny and shocking with its language, which is a testament to the authenticity of the time period it was set in.

The author has managed to capture the essence of that era in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

I was completely enthralled from beginning to end and could not put the book down.

As a result, I have decided that I will definitely be getting all of his other books.

I am eager to explore more of his work and see what other stories he has to tell.

I have a feeling that they will be just as captivating as this one.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read that will make them laugh, cry, and think.

It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who appreciates great literature.

The main character of this novel is tasked with writing a book about the life of Jewish people in America. However, he doesn't pen that book. Instead, through the actions of Bruce Gold throughout the story, we are presented with a vivid picture of what that life entails.

The book contains an abundance of Yiddish, which may not suit modern tastes. Nevertheless, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Jewish immigrants in America. Heller's novel also features some humorous and touching moments of family life, depicting sibling relationships and marital difficulties with remarkable detail.

"Good as Gold" is a realistic portrayal of the mid-aged protagonist's life crisis. He is tired of his teaching job, marriage, and siblings. Bruce Gold, on the other hand, craves the excitement of another woman and the power and influence that come with a high-level position in Washington. Throughout the story, he is buffeted by people from all walks of life, leaving one to wonder how far he is willing to go for money and power.

While the book delves into the "Jewish Experience" and offers the perspective of a middle-aged, well-educated Jew, it also explores the absurdities in government and among the well-connected. There is a third strand in the novel where the author mocks Jewish former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. This, along with the discussions about the Vietnam War, are aspects of the book that may seem dated and less understandable to a younger audience.

In the end, this is likely one of Heller's funniest books, although he often uses excessive foul language and sexual references. One of the funniest self-references is a Catch-22 situation where the main character discovers that he must marry a particular woman to secure his government job, yet she refuses to marry him until he becomes a high-ranking official.

This book has a rather weak ending, similar to other works by Heller. It feels as if the story simply concludes when the page or word count quota is reached, without the author fully tying up all the loose ends. There is also some ambiguity regarding whether the main character undergoes any true character development. Does Gold find sanity and make wise decisions in the end, or are his choices just more of the self-serving and selfish ones he has made throughout his life? Many readers may find Gold's wife or siblings more likable characters, but Heller does a good job of showing ordinary people trying to navigate life while also poking fun at it all.

Bruce Gold feels like the renewed Yossarian - and that's fine.

The family scenes in this novel are truly captivating and carry you through the story. They add a layer of depth and emotion that makes the reading experience quite engaging.

However, while you don't necessarily have to be overly concerned about the plot to enjoy the novel, it's important to note that the plot might be a bit of a challenge for the average reader. It could be considered too simple, lacking in complexity and intricacy. On the other hand, it might also seem strange, with some elements that don't quite fit the traditional narrative structure.

Despite these potential drawbacks, the novel still has its charm. The characters are well-developed, and the family dynamics are explored in an interesting way. It offers a unique perspective on relationships and the human condition. So, if you're willing to overlook the simplicity and strangeness of the plot, you might just find this novel to be an enjoyable read.

3.5 stars, perhaps?

I read this several years ago.

I have only a hazy memory of it, but I do recall that it is an entertaining political satire of life in Washington, D.C.

The story likely offers a humorous and incisive look at the inner workings of the political establishment, with its power plays, intrigues, and absurdities.

Given its satirical nature, it may have been relevant then and could still hold some interest today.

It might be worth taking another look at this book to see if it still has the same impact and if it can provide any new insights into the world of politics.

Who knows? Maybe a second reading will reveal something that I missed the first time around.

Overall, while my memory of the book is somewhat dim, I remember enough to think that it could be a worthwhile read for those interested in political satire.

"An excellent satire of American politics and academia" is a captivating and thought-provoking work. It delves deep into the inner workings and absurdities of these two crucial aspects of American society.

The satire skillfully exposes the flaws, power struggles, and hypocrisy that often plague the political and academic arenas. Through cleverly crafted characters and storylines, it offers a humorous yet incisive commentary on the state of affairs.

It makes readers question the integrity and authenticity of those in positions of power and influence. This work not only entertains but also serves as a wake-up call, urging us to look beyond the surface and demand transparency and accountability in both politics and academia.

It is a timely and relevant piece that has the potential to spark important conversations and drive positive change.

Catch-22 is known for its dark humor and satirical charm, but this book is anything but funny. In fact, I struggled to find even a single redeeming quality in the nearly 500 pages of what I can only describe as utter tripe.

With a more talented author, the story of a morally challenged man who contemplates leaving his loyal wife and the mother of his children to marry a beautiful and wealthy heiress he doesn't love, simply because her father can boost his career, and then falls for his daughter's beautiful teacher who is willing to be his mistress out of fear of her violent husband, while also being willing to sleep with anyone else he finds attractive, could potentially have been turned into an entertaining bedroom farce. However, in this case, it just feels like the author's own wish-fulfillment fantasy.

On the political front, instead of presenting a complex and engaging narrative, it seems to be more about creating vicious circles (which are, of course, guaranteed, unless they're not) that are largely aimed at slandering Henry Kissinger.

Rarely have I finished a book with such a strong sense that I have completely wasted my time. It's truly a disappointment.

I didn't truly understand it until the very end. The cynicism present here is even more profound than that in Catch-22. At least in Catch-22, it is centered around war, which gives it a certain logic.

Perhaps this work is longer than it strictly needs to be, or maybe everything has seemed that way lately. Nevertheless, it is still good stuff.

It makes you think and question, forces you to grapple with the complex emotions and ideas it presents. The characters are well-developed, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Even though it may have its flaws, such as the potential length issue, it ultimately offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective that is worth exploring.

The Pains of Not Being Saul Bellow

This work is truly a chaotic jumble of jarring modes. It ranges from overly blatant satire to enraged liberal arts polemic and then to a Jewish family saga. The satire is like a pale imitation of Terry Southern's, with what seems to be the same one-note joke repeated far too often. Joseph Heller's anger towards Henry Kissinger is so blatant that it adopts a classic, outraged liberal perspective that we could find just about anywhere. It belongs next to Philip Roth and Oliver Stone under the category of "obvious liberal political ramblings."

Tonally, the novel is in a sorry state. Are we really supposed to feel sympathy for Bruce Gold? He is ensnared by his own idiocies and shallowness. Yet, at times, Heller endows him with a sense of tragedy or earnestness that is completely at odds with the dominant comedic tone that drives the main narrative. Is Gold supposed to have even a hint of an inner life?
The exploration of Jewish family life in New York, with its themes of insecurity, harassment, hostility, and sibling rivalries, seems as if it were copied from a Saul Bellow novel by a mischievous child with aspirations of writing for National Lampoon.
Nevertheless, despite all its strange tonal missteps, glaring narrative flaws, and dated, tiresome satire, it is still rather entertaining. It's a sort of laughable dud that manages to hold our attention in its own peculiar way.