*3.5 stars

For authors desiring to satirize politics, there are two choices.

The first option is to target the bureaucrats, those who bear most of the responsibility in modern states. They are often competent, at least by certain measures, yet almost invariably misdirected.

The second option is to satirize the politicians, the prominent figures who relish seeing their names in the media and view crises not as structural issues but as public relations problems. They may not have a significant impact, but they have a great deal of fun while having little influence.

Joseph Heller opted for the latter - which, incidentally, is the easier option. I rate Heller as somewhat above merely competent and thus worth reading, although this is far from Heller's own perception of his abilities. "Good as Gold" is something like first-tier satire, second-tier humor, third-tier style, and fourth-tier storytelling. And that's not bad! If only more novels these days could reach the fourth tier...

All of the characters, including the protagonist Bruce Gold, are unlikable; the only exception is Gold's wife, Belle, who, intentionally or not, is merely a shadow. Bruce, an English professor, is sort of offered a job in DC - and at least half of the book is dedicated to that journey. Along the way, there is anti-Semitism, crafty politicians, several rants aimed at Henry Kissinger, and several girlfriends. The remainder of the book is about Gold's family: frustrating, funny, and something else starting with f.

Read it for the political satire and the jokes; endure it for the rest.

It is truly a remarkable and fortuitous thing that Heller had the inspiration and the courage to pen "Catch-22", and to do so first.

The work he produced was of such profound significance and literary value. Had I been exposed to it initially, it would have had a profound impact on me.

I might have chosen to refrain from bothering Joe for an extended period.

The power of "Catch-22" lies in its ability to captivate the reader, to make them think deeply about the absurdities and contradictions of life.

Heller's unique writing style and his masterful exploration of complex themes make this book a classic.

It is a work that continues to resonate with readers today, long after its initial publication.

Thankfully, Heller had the foresight to create this literary masterpiece, and we are all the better for it.

One thing it is most definitely not is the assertion that its jacket copy makes: better than Catch 22.

To be fair, it does have its shining moments. In fact, this is something I've been saying about nearly every book I've completed within the last 48 hours. There are parts that truly engage and captivate the reader.

However, it also has its dull periods. This is especially evident when it delves into a half-Yiddish character sketch of Henry Kissinger. During these sections, the narrative seems to lose its momentum and becomes a bit of a slog to get through.

Overall, while the book has its merits, it falls short of living up to the lofty claim on its jacket. It's a decent read, but it's not in the same league as a classic like Catch 22.

I could clearly sense the distinct echo of the brilliant "Paragraph 22" here, but in different settings (Washington, Jews instead of war). The absurdity and the distortion of the heroes extremely tired me. I didn't love anyone. Just lies within this Gold family (father! Sid!) and among the Washington elite...

Clearly, the parable is readable, at times the dialogues are entertaining, the gags are cleverly constructed, but... Well, no, I was tired for almost a week. I probably won't reach for other Heller books, but rather for the next (tenth?) time I'll gulp down "Paragraph 22".

It seems that while this work has its merits, such as the engaging dialogues and well-crafted gags, the overall theme and the portrayal of the characters left me feeling exhausted. The substitution of the war context with that of Washington and the Jews didn't quite resonate with me as strongly as the original "Paragraph 22". I find myself constantly drawn back to the latter, perhaps because of its unique charm and the lasting impact it has had on me.

Maybe I'll give other works by Heller a chance in the future, but for now, "Paragraph 22" remains my go-to choice. It's like a familiar friend that I keep coming back to, even though I know its story inside out.