Catch-22 has long been my favorite book. It is a work that truly stands out with its unique style and profound themes. However, Something Happened took my admiration for Joseph Heller to a whole new level and firmly cemented him as my favorite author.

The story in Something Happened is both captivating and thought-provoking. It delves deep into the human psyche and the absurdities of life. But I have to admit, I refuse to believe the ending was real. I choose to make the executive decision that it was just one of Slocum’s fever dreams.

Maybe it's because the ending was so unexpected and seemed almost too harsh. Or perhaps it's my own desire to hold onto a glimmer of hope in the story. Whatever the reason, imagining that it was all just a dream gives me a sense of comfort.

Overall, both Catch-22 and Something Happened are masterpieces that have had a lasting impact on me. They are testaments to Joseph Heller's incredible talent as a writer.

I will continue to cherish these books and explore more of his works in the future.

This is a truly dismal piece of work. It presents a never-ending, tiresome journey filled with repetitive unhappiness. The story just plods along, offering no real joy or excitement. And then, to top it off, there's a completely unrewarding twist at the end, almost as if it's a final "Fuck You" to the reader.

The only small glimmer of hope is that this twist isn't further explored for another 500+ mind-numbing pages. But really, what's the point? This book is a prime example of one that should be given up on. It offers nothing of value, no real substance or entertainment. It's a waste of time and energy, and it's hard to see why anyone would bother to persevere with it.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a good read, this is definitely not the book for you. Save yourself the frustration and move on to something else.

This is an incredibly well-written book and an amazing character study.

However, I can't rightly say it's anywhere near my other books that I considered to be my favorite. It's a very heavy novel and, to be honest, it can kind of make you feel like crap. For example, I just finished it and I feel like crap.

I love Heller, his quirkiness and his humor, and it's all in here by the truckload. But it's all very dark and it sticks with you, which is both good and bad. The character's musings present the entirety of existence as being very pointless, at least in my point of view.

So I feel pretty silly giving it such a low score, but I just can't really get excited about something that becomes such a burden. And I love some heavy books! In the end, I'm glad I read this book and feel that it is important that books like this are written. Very important.

As an aside, it very nearly scores every point just based on how well written it is (aside from matters of plot, character, emotional impact, blah blah blah). After reading this, I now believe Heller could have made drying paint sound interesting.

A truly remarkable and one-of-a-kind book awaits the reader. It is not only hilarious but also astonishingly honest, to the point where it can make you wince at certain moments. The quality of the writing is of the highest caliber. However, I did encounter a bit of a hurdle in the middle as the style is extremely intense in some parts. Bob Slocum's words and reactions to various situations mirror what we all might do, yet we would probably be too embarrassed to confess. I am truly glad that I persisted in reading. Despite his numerous admissions of shortcomings and failures, you simply can't help but develop a liking for this bloke. And at the end, I found myself feeling a genuine sense of sympathy for him. It's a book that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and leaves you with a profound understanding of the human psyche.

This book was a real disappointment.

I had such high hopes for it because I really loved Catch-22. At the beginning, it seemed to be going well enough. However, about halfway through, I just couldn't tolerate how frequently the author repeated himself. It was over and over and over again.

I'm certain there was a purpose or a point to this repetitive style, but I was so frustrated that I didn't even attempt to figure it out. Instead of giving up completely, I simply skipped through the last quarter of the book just to get it finished. *sigh* It's a shame because the initial promise of the story was quite appealing, but the excessive repetition really detracted from the overall reading experience. I wish the author had found a more engaging way to convey his ideas without relying so much on this tiresome device.

Thank God I'm a mostly white guy, this book is for me!

This statement reflects a rather narrow and perhaps even exclusionary perspective. It seems to imply that the book is only relevant or accessible to a particular racial group, which is a limited way of looking at literature. In a diverse and inclusive society, books should be able to reach and resonate with people from all walks of life, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background. Literature has the power to transcend these boundaries and offer universal themes, emotions, and experiences that can touch the hearts and minds of anyone who reads. Instead of making such a divisive comment, it would be more appropriate to approach the book with an open mind and a willingness to explore its contents, regardless of one's own identity. This way, we can all benefit from the richness and diversity of the written word and gain a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Bob Slocum's mind seems to be trapped in an endless loop, circling and circling for more than five hundred pages. It's a tiresome and disturbing journey. And then, in a shocking and unthinkable act, he smothers his pre-teen son to death.

This book has left me with a feeling of disgust and repulsion. I can't wait to get rid of it and throw it out. The person who gave this book to me was also an unpleasant individual. You could say he was a real Bob Slocum himself.

In conclusion, this book has been a complete waste of time and energy. I'm glad it's finally over, and I hope I never have to encounter anything like it again. The end!

This was an uncharacteristically long read for me.

I read this book in installments over many months. I think it was the unrelenting darkness of the thing that kept putting me off.

But I do believe I understand how the novel has managed to achieve a measure of cult status despite its initial, underwhelming performance and critical reception when it was published in 1974. It's that particular sort of darkness Heller deploys in this book which brings you back. Maybe it's the literary equivalent of highway rubbernecking.

The paterfamilias is nasty. We're privy to one long interior monologue of a lost soul who seems to check all the boxes for a "regular guy" in the seventies, if we are going only by outward indices. But if this is dadcore, you might want to get a new dad. Dad is closer to Jack Torrance in The Shining than to Mr. Brady (if we are looking for a seventies analog).

Most of the horror perpetrated by good old dad is only in his dreams. Well, up to a certain point. I won't go there with a spoiler. But it's this nasty tension between the worst and most hateful thoughts our protagonist has and his attempts to dissimulate or filter these thoughts through his flimsy superego that makes for an interesting read when the book is working.

I had gone to the Wiki article on the novel (a paucity) and found a link to a stellar critical recovery piece Carmen Petaccio did for the L.A. Review of Books on the fortieth anniversary of the novel's publication: https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/w...

I will defer to that as a great piece to sum up the novel. But I should add some caution tape here as there is a spoiler. So there is your alert.

The book's darkness is not for the faint of heart. It delves deep into the psyche of the characters, revealing their most hidden and disturbing thoughts. The paterfamilias, in particular, is a complex and deeply flawed character. His actions and thoughts are often driven by his own insecurities and desires, which lead to some truly horrifying moments.

Despite its flaws, the novel has managed to capture the attention of readers over the years. Its cult status is a testament to its unique and powerful storytelling. The way Heller weaves together the different plotlines and characters creates a rich and immersive world that is both fascinating and disturbing.

If you're looking for a challenging and thought-provoking read, this novel might be worth checking out. Just be prepared for the darkness that lies within.

Joseph Heller's Something Happened is an audacious and exquisitely crafted novel that delves profound into the intricacies of modern existence. It captures the delicate and disquieting fears that lurk beneath the veneer of success and stability.

Although Heller is renowned for his satirical tour de force Catch-22, Something Happened presents a distinct yet equally potent exploration of the human condition. It is introspective, darkly comical, and haunting in its portrayal of alienation.

The protagonist, Bob Slocum, a middle-aged corporate executive, appears to have it all: a stable career, a family, and financial security. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes evident that beneath this facade of success lies a profound sense of unease, fear, and confusion. Heller masterfully captures Slocum's internal monologue, providing readers with a raw and unfiltered glimpse into his anxieties regarding his career, relationships, and mental state. This unwavering introspection is where the novel's true brilliance resides. It offers an unflinching and often uncomfortable examination of how people attempt to navigate the pressures of life while quietly disintegrating within.

Heller's writing is remarkable for its ability to convey both humor and despair in equal measure. The novel's dark, ironic wit adds a layer of complexity to Slocum's narrative, making his existential dread both relatable and disturbingly familiar. There is a pervasive sense of irony throughout, as Slocum reflects on his life with a detached, almost clinical awareness of his own emotional unraveling, yet seems powerless to halt it. This blend of introspection and irony gives the book a unique voice, one that is both profound and eerily detached from the realities it depicts.

Something Happened is not a fast-paced or plot-driven novel, but that is precisely what makes it so impactful. Heller takes his time, enabling the reader to immerse themselves in Slocum's mind and experience the slow, creeping sense of disillusionment that defines his life. Some may find the novel's deliberate pace and lack of a traditional narrative structure challenging, but for those who appreciate psychological depth and character-driven storytelling, it offers an unrivaled experience.

Heller's portrayal of corporate life is another outstanding aspect of the book. He captures the dehumanizing nature of bureaucracy, the hollowness of success, and the quiet desperation of those striving to maintain their sense of self in an environment that values conformity above all else. This critique of the corporate world is subtle yet powerful, adding another dimension to Slocum's personal struggles.

Overall, Something Happened is an extraordinary novel that resists easy classification. It is a psychological masterpiece that provides an intimate look at one man's descent in a manner that is both poignant and darkly humorous. Heller's insight into the human psyche, combined with his unique narrative style, makes this a truly unforgettable read. It demands patience and reflection, but the emotional and intellectual rewards are substantial for those who engage with its complex and multilayered storytelling.

The title is indeed quite misleading.

One might expect something exciting or significant to occur based on the title. However, as one delves deeper into the content, it becomes clear that nothing of particular note actually happens.

There are no thrilling events, no unexpected twists or turns. It's as if the author set up a false anticipation with the title, only to disappoint the reader.

This can be quite frustrating for those who were initially intrigued and eager to discover what lay beneath the surface.

Perhaps the author intended to make a point about the power of titles and how they can shape our expectations. Or maybe it was simply a case of poor title choice.

Either way, it serves as a reminder that we should not always judge a book by its cover, or in this case, an article by its title.

Bob Slocum, the protagonist of Something Happened, is the prototypical successful modern man.

He is replete with all the trappings that society deems desirable - an ascending career, an expansive home in the suburbs, and an attractive wife.

He is the ideal that we, the sons, were told we should aspire to. However, to our dismay, Bob Slocum is a man in the full throws of an existential crisis.

We find him in his late forties, standing on the precipice, staring into the abyss.

Here is a man adrift in a world devoid of rational purpose or design, confronting the absurdity and randomness of life.

We are witnesses to the full horror of his painful realization.

For close to 600 pages, Bob Slocum screams out to us a plea for understanding.

Perhaps this plea is predicated on the idea that if he can reach us, take us inside his reality, then maybe his alienation and loneliness will be alleviated.

Why else would he be telling us all this stuff? Page after page, he drones on with an endless repetition of the mundane minutiae of his pathetic existence.

This is not the result of sloppy writing or editing. No, this is a novel that is intentionally tedious.

So why am I suggesting you read it? Because Joseph Heller is a master of conveying the essence of the gut-wrenching dread that modern man and woman experience as they search for meaning in an ever-expanding universe of emptiness.

The author thankfully makes this task more palatable through the use of understated irony and clever, albeit self-conscious, word play.

No, this is not Catch-22. This is not a fun novel, and its rewards are not to be found in its humor (which is certainly there), but in our identification with and empathy for the main character.

A character who, even with all his foibles and blemishes, is ultimately extremely sympathetic.

Although at times I had my doubts, I am glad I persisted with this under-appreciated masterpiece.

Overly long, still brilliant somehow...

This statement holds true for many things in life. Whether it's a novel that seems to stretch on forever but keeps you engaged from start to finish, or a movie that has a runtime that might make you hesitant at first but ends up being a cinematic masterpiece.

Sometimes, the extra length allows for a more in-depth exploration of the subject matter. It gives the creator the opportunity to develop the story, characters, and themes in greater detail, resulting in a more fulfilling and satisfying experience for the audience.

However, it's not just about the length. The brilliance also lies in the quality of the content. A long work that is poorly written or lacks substance will quickly lose the reader or viewer's interest. On the other hand, a long work that is well-crafted, with engaging characters, a compelling plot, and beautiful prose or cinematography, can be a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience.

In conclusion, while overly long works may seem intimidating at first, they can often be some of the most brilliant and rewarding. It's all about finding that balance between length and quality and being willing to invest the time and effort to fully appreciate the work.