The stories presented within this compilation were of varying qualities. Some were rather lackluster, while others shone brightly.

However, what they all did was offer a wealth of additional context regarding Heller, his unique vision, and the profound impact that Catch 22 had on his life.

Amidst the collection, there were indeed a few true gems. These stories managed to captivate my attention and draw me in completely.

Surprisingly, I found myself reading through the entire collection of stories at a much faster pace than I had initially anticipated. It was as if once I started, I couldn't put it down.

The diverse range of stories, despite their unevenness, provided a fascinating glimpse into the mind and experiences of Heller, making the reading experience both engaging and enlightening.

Catch As Catch Can by Joseph Heller

It was truly a pleasant experience getting to know the other side of Heller. This collection is devoid of the complex prose experiments that some of his other works are known for, and it has a less snarky tone. As is often the case with collected works, there is a mix of both "good" and "bad" stories. There are things that I liked a great deal and others that didn't quite resonate with me as much. Among my absolute favorites in this collection are "Castle of Snow", "MacAdam's Log", and "The Death of a Dying Swan". I might as well recommend one of these to our book club. Reading the cut passages from Catch-22 and the entirety of the essay section was an especially enjoyable treat. All in all, this is a great compilation for those who have a desire to know Heller on a deeper level. It offers a diverse range of his writing, allowing readers to explore different aspects of his talent and creativity. Whether you're a long-time fan of Heller or just starting to discover his work, this collection is definitely worth a read.

Heller may not necessarily be a favorite author for everyone. However, he is most definitely a favorite writer for the purpose of study.

It is always an interesting experience to observe how a writer's style evolves over time. And in the case of Heller, it is a particularly fascinating case study.

His works often explore complex themes and ideas in a unique and thought-provoking way. The way he constructs his sentences, develops his characters, and weaves his plots is truly remarkable.

By studying Heller's writing, we can gain valuable insights into the craft of writing and learn from his techniques. Whether it's his use of humor, irony, or satire, there is always something to be discovered and admired in his work.

So while he may not be everyone's cup of tea, Heller's writing is definitely worth exploring and studying for those who are interested in the art of writing.

Finally - another decent Heller book. I completed reading all of Heller's novels within the past year and a half and desired to conclude his collection with this one. I'm truly glad I did. I'm aware that there are autobiographies, plays, and screenplays he authored that I could read, but after finishing his novels and short stories, I feel as if I've had an ample dose of Heller.

Catch-22, Heller's initial novel, was truly outstanding. I relished its zaniness, the eccentric characters, and the brutally honest portrayal of wartime, among other aspects. However, the remainder of his novels were not as remarkable. They took an inordinately long time to commence and didn't really progress anywhere significant.

And that's precisely why I was pleasantly astonished - almost completely overwhelmed - by the quality of Heller's short stories. I'm pondering if he should have simply adhered to the short format, as he did an excellent job with them. He wrote about the things he had experienced or was familiar with, which results in a remarkable collection of stories. There are also some non-fiction pieces that are not too bad either. If you were fond of Catch-22 and are interested in more of Heller's work, I would recommend checking out this book rather than slogging through his novels.

Joseph Heller's work is rather inconsistent.

At times, he is truly brilliant and hits the mark perfectly. His insights and writing style can be captivating and engaging. However, when he is off, it can be a completely different story. He becomes dreadfully boring and his writing拖沓冗长, like a train that seems to be going nowhere.

Some of his older short stories, especially "The Girl from Greenwich," and the excerpts from Catch-22 are simply amazing. They showcase his talent and unique perspective. But when it comes to his newer works, he seems to be too influenced by Tim O'Brien, with a sort of "I-can't-escape-the-war-I-was-in-I-need-catharsis-through-writing" approach. He is trying too hard to relive his past as Yossarian.

I would have preferred if he had evolved into a new kind of writer later in his career, rather than remaining a less impressive version of his younger self. Maybe he should have followed Nietzsche's path and taken a vow of silence in the last few years of his life, instead of going back to all his old haunts in Japan and taking pictures of the places where he accidentally hit a mountain with bombs when he wasn't paying attention. Well, actually, that last part is kind of funny.

Overall, Joseph Heller's body of work is a mixed bag, with both highs and lows.

I was truly astonished by the profound enjoyment I derived from several of these stories.

It was remarkable to discover that the true treasures lay within those chapters of Catch 22 that did not make it into the final publication.

Among them, Love, Dad stood out as an especially captivating piece.

The way it was written, the emotions it evoked, and the unique perspective it offered made it a standout.

It was as if these unpublished chapters held a world of their own, waiting to be explored and appreciated.

Reading them felt like uncovering hidden gems that added a new layer of depth and richness to the overall work.

I found myself completely immersed in the stories, eager to turn the page and discover what would happen next.

These forgotten chapters of Catch 22 have left a lasting impression on me and have made me appreciate the work even more.

Most of the stories in this collection are not at all similar to "Catch-22" when it comes to style or content. However, they are all well-written and highly interesting, capable of standing on their own merits.

I have a particular fondness for some of the nonfiction pieces. In one of them, Heller vividly recounts his experiences related to the making of the "Catch-22" movie. It provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the process.

Overall, this collection is definitely worth reading. But it's important to approach it with the right expectations. Don't go in anticipating a large quantity of material that is exactly like "Catch-22". Instead, be open to exploring the diverse range of stories and perspectives that are offered. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Lots of Catch-22 related stuff and not related stuff made me chuckle. The concept of Catch-22 is truly mind-boggling and yet, in a strange way, quite humorous. It's that never-ending loop where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. The absurdity of it all can't help but bring a smile to your face. And then there's the not related stuff that also tickled my funny bone. Maybe it was a witty comment, a hilarious situation, or just a random bit of silliness. It doesn't matter what it was, as long as it made me laugh. Laughter is the best medicine, they say, and in this case, it sure felt like it. It's those moments of levity that can brighten up even the dullest of days. So here's to all the things that make us chuckle, whether they're related to Catch-22 or not.

This is a compilation of short stories.

Most of them were penned prior to "Catch-22," revealing Heller's efforts in perfecting his writing skills.

These stories are far more gritty compared to his later works. They explore themes such as addiction and character flaws, lacking the trademark humor that made "Catch-22" an outstanding book.

Nevertheless, it is still a worthwhile read as it showcases a completely different aspect of the author.

It allows readers to witness Heller's growth and evolution as a writer, and to understand the foundation upon which his more famous works were built.

Despite the absence of the humor that made him renowned, these short stories offer a unique perspective into the mind and creative process of Joseph Heller.

They are a testament to his ability to handle complex and often dark themes with skill and sensitivity.

Overall, this collection is an important addition to any Heller fan's library.

Joseph Heller is a renowned American writer, and his short stories offer an insightful look into the human condition.

I have a particular appreciation for the simplicity of his early writing. In his early works, Heller presents complex themes and ideas in a straightforward and accessible manner.

His use of clear language and uncomplicated narrative structures allows the reader to easily engage with the stories and understand the underlying messages.

Despite the simplicity of his writing style, Heller's short stories are not lacking in depth or substance. He explores a wide range of themes, including war, love, and the absurdity of life.

Overall, I believe that Joseph Heller's early short stories are a testament to his talent as a writer. His ability to convey complex ideas through simple language and engaging narratives is truly remarkable.

Catch As Catch Can is a comprehensive book that gathers the posthumous remnants of Joseph Heller's writings.

It contains collected short stories from various magazines and some unpublished work. There's also a scene from the play Catch-22 that didn't make the final cut, along with his thoughts on the making of the movie.

These pieces all have their own merit, but I assume that without prior knowledge of Catch-22, the read might not have the same profound impact. In a way, this book is like Heller's Silmarillion.

In theory, if we were to remove all the Yossarian-related content and focus solely on the short stories, the book might be more accessible to the general public. However, it's truly wonderful to have Heller's voice again.

The man comes across as positively friendly. He's the kind of writer you'd like to visit at his house for a drink, as he seems like a pal. But at the same time, he can be a bit of a sourpuss, and that's what makes him endearing. I guess I have a soft spot for friendly sourpusses.

However, Heller really knows how to turn disillusionment into a full-course meal. It's thickly layered in most of his short stories, as well as in the account of his trip to post-war Corsica.

The story of his Corsican trip is meandering and seemingly pointless, but that's precisely the point. Heller goes back to Corsica to talk to people about the war, but no one there wants to discuss it.

The tourism business and American money are great, but who wants to remember a chaotic Italy? His children, trailing behind him, would rather be on the beach.

Heller's mind is grasping at every interesting detail he can find, but he never discovers what he's seeking in Corsica. He never finds someone who will empathize with him or tell him what the war truly meant, and eventually, he has to go home.

This story serves as the connective tissue in this book, linking the real-life Heller to his short stories. So much of Heller's work is about the longing to belong to a group, to be understood, and the sense of betrayal when one realizes that they must ultimately take responsibility for themselves.

It's not a particularly satisfying story, but there are moments when it feels incredibly真实.

To me, writing a good short story is an extremely challenging task. It is perhaps as difficult as writing a good novel, if not even more so. I have a great passion for reading collections of short stories as it allows me to witness the true capabilities of an author.

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of reading Heller's "Catch-22". This remarkable work led me to explore further into what else he had written. I decided to read this particular collection before delving into the sequel of "Catch-22", and I was not disappointed in the slightest.

Many of the stories within this collection possess a very old-timey feel, which adds a certain charm and authenticity. Interestingly, a few of the stories do not have a definite resolution. However, their open endings are actually quite fitting as they provide me with the opportunity to wonder and speculate about what might have happened to the characters afterward. In a couple of cases, I even found myself smiling, either for the better or for the worse, because I knew exactly what was going to happen.

Fans of "Catch-22" will无疑 be overjoyed to discover a couple of short stories that are actually chapters removed from the original "Catch-22" manuscript. It's like uncovering hidden treasures within the literary world.