Masterpiece

It is truly a remarkable work that stands out as a masterpiece. Its influence and significance cannot be overstated.

And its illustrious predecessor, American Psycho, is also a highly regarded and influential piece.

Together, they form a connection that showcases the evolution and development of a particular genre or style.

The passion and excitement that these works evoke are palpable, as indicated by the heart and explosion emojis ❤️

I read 550 pages, or so I think as it was a year ago. All of that reading was just waiting for something to occur on one page within the last 10 pages.

The main character in this book is truly detestable. There is nothing likable about him or her, which makes it hard to engage with the story on a personal level.

Moreover, the writing style is circular. It seems to go around in circles, repeating the same ideas and themes without really advancing the plot or adding depth to the characters.

Somehow, despite all these flaws, this book has a cult following. I'm not sure how this happened. Maybe it's because of some unique aspect that I'm not seeing, or perhaps it's just a case of people being drawn to the unusual.

But for me, I can't understand why anyone would be so痴迷 with this book. It's a real disappointment considering the amount of time and effort I put into reading it.

I guess everyone has different tastes when it comes to literature, but this one just didn't do it for me.

Over thinkers, those who are constantly fretting about how they are perceived by the people they love, fear, respect, or don't care for (in essence, the entire world) - this book is your indulgence, just as it has been mine. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

The 560 pages are filled with non-stop inner dialogues, ruminations, and insecurities that strike a chord more quickly than you can spell the word. Reading this book made me feel as if I was being exposed completely, laid bare for the world to see.

The incisive humor, the unadulterated narcissism that makes you realize you're not so bad after all, and the rambling mind of Bob Slocum - each of these is a powerful element that makes reading Something Happened a truly enjoyable experience (at least for me).

What I liked: The "on a pedestal" humor, the fact that this book was like a carbon copy of how my mind functions at times, the chapter titles, and the clever construction of the characters and storyline (all the primary colors, hahaha). Without a doubt, it's a classic that I will remember for a long time.

What I didn't like: The book was a bit too long and meandering, although it was an enjoyable meandering throughout.

Who discovered that the middle to upper class life of a white male in the Northeast of America in the 1960s wasn't all it was cracked up to be?

When did a man first realize that a corporate job could be unfulfilling, filled with political backstabbing, and long hours spent with the same people, some of whom he tolerates, some he fantasizes about having sex with, and some he actually has?

Who first expressed that marriage, like a corporate job, could have its own frustrations and desires to flee, with unmet expectations piling up like mail and boredom collecting dust like relics in the garage? And when did it become acceptable, or perhaps just tolerable, for a male author to expose the inner thoughts of a man who has visions of hurting or striking his wife and children, of wanting to inflict physical and emotional pain on them, of wanting to have sex with his wife whenever he wants regardless of her意愿, and having as many affairs as he can handle, all while complaining about how rotten it all is?

There is a sense of horror in Joseph Heller's second novel, Something Happened. This horror is overwhelming because it paints a horrid picture of life. Or at least a certain life. It's safe to say that the lead character in this novel, Bob Slocum, with whom we spend an excruciating 569 pages in the voice of his inner monologue, has not been to a therapist. Why would he? The company frowns on that sort of thing, after all.

Perhaps there is some light and freshness in the narrator's brutal candor, his ability to share (or rather, overshare) every last desire, wish, fear, sexual impulse, fetish, turn-on, turn-off, and thought. And maybe the radical honesty of this privileged man is novel. But what does it really say?

That our parents often disappoint us and then die? That sex is desirable and fun, and we can be selfish and hurtful in the pursuit of it, regardless of our age? I suppose there comes a point when we confront the stultifying reality that adulthood can be repetitive and boring. And there can be limits to the excitement in our lives, and frustration at the inability to remove anxiety and fear from our psyches. This is what is often referred to as the human condition.

But welcome to the world. Whether it provides you with solace or not, it could always be worse, and when you think it could be better, that can be disappointing too. Finding your way around, through, and living with that... that's life.

And I don't think it's imposing modern political correctness on this novel to call out Slocum for ignoring his privilege, not when he uses racist language when referring to minorities, not for expressing reluctance in hiring a Jew, not when he bemoans the fact that women's sexual liberation included not just birth control but also their awakening to sexual freedom that recognizes women should and can enjoy sex as much as men.

Slocum is so detached from others, lacking in empathy, and so lost in his own bubble that it becomes difficult to sympathize with the pain, trauma, and anxiety that he suffers, which is authentic. Why? Because however real his struggles are, he experiences them without any recognition of similar struggles in others, including, especially, his family. This is the response you get when you admit to hitting a co-worker in the leg and causing him to limp. Or confessing a desire for your developmentally disabled son to die.

So perhaps, in its time, this novel was at the forefront of vocalizing the malaise of our internal dialog. (Bob Slocum exists in the same milieu as Don Draper, but beat him by 40 years. On the other hand, Rabbit Angstrom had been around for a decade before Bob, and unlike Bob, Rabbit moves, both literally and figuratively.)

That's fine for what it is, and the reader can freely judge the narrator as much as he or she wants. There is still little reason for this book to be as long as it is; many anecdotes are repeated, and by at least a third of the way through, the shock has worn off.

I do find it interesting to think about Bob in this day and age. There's no way around it: he's a boor. While I can admit to having thoughts from time to time that aren't very pleasant and are best left within the confines of my brain and therapist's office, I like to think I'm mature enough to recognize the realities of life that Bob has such a hard time facing. If he wants to endlessly cheat on his wife, that's his business. If he's pissed off that he doesn't get to speak at his company's annual meeting, well, those are the breaks, kid.

But I've worked hard to find a career that is meaningful and challenging - and I'm still working at it. I've put in a lot of time and energy working on my relationships with women and friends. I've had failures along the way. I've had good sex - and I've had bad sex, and I don't let either define me nor do I obsess over them. Alright, maybe a little.

Bob goes through hardly any personal growth over the course of the novel. He's the same person at the end as he was at the beginning. The book's shocking ending is a ploy that doesn't color the previous 559 pages; it just makes you feel worse about the final 10.

I think only a crazy person would read this book from start to finish, but doing so only leaves you feeling crazy. The wisdom and perspective of Yossarian, from Heller's first novel Catch-22, is far deeper than anything I'll ever think about again from Bob.

I never completed this book, which is why I'm categorizing it as "to read." It's an amazing book - from what I've read of it - yet it might just be the most depressing one I've ever come across. Just for this reason, I highly recommend it. If you manage to get through it, do let me know, because you possess more fortitude than I do.

I should expand on how this book is depressing, considering it's also rather humorous. The plot itself isn't particularly depressing (nor is it really much of a plot, at least not in what I've read): A man discusses his unhappy marriage, his limited affection for his son, and his fear of certain coworkers. What's depressing isn't the narrator's unyielding dark humor, the lack of anything redeeming in his life, or his prospects for some kind of life change - it's that his life is so ordinary and so similar to the lives of many middle-class readers. If you're middle-class, work in an office, are married, or have children, you can't help but recognize at least some part of yourself in the narrator. It's as if your darkest moments, those when you doubt that your job or relationship is truly fulfilling, are stretched to the point of being almost unbearable. This is all achieved with great humor, but a humor that almost makes the unbearableness even more intense.

This is quite an accomplishment in a novel. So, this is why I recommend this one, and why I will eventually, when I'm in the right frame of mind, return to reading it.

Joseph Heller, the author of my all-time favorite book, 'Catch 22', spent over a decade penning Something Happened.

He was so firmly convinced of its genius that he secreted copies of it all around Manhattan. This way, he ensured that the book would endure even if his apartment were to go up in flames. Looking back, there were moments during this long and uncompromising novel when I was actually hoping for that fire to break out.

Nevertheless, I have never come across a book that so completely encapsulates every (terrible) thought, (repugnant) feeling, and (cruel and pathetic) ideology of a character. I feel as if I know more about Bob Slocum than I do about myself. Bob is afraid of everything, derives almost no pleasure from anything, and utterly loathes every aspect of his wife, his two (or three) children, and everyone he works with. In this novel, there is no escape for Bob, and indeed no escape for the reader either - as you quickly realize the cruel irony of the book's title over the course of its 600 pages. It is just as bleak, tragic, and unending as it is captivating, darkly humorous, and memorable (can something truly be memorable if it has only just concluded?).

This is a great book, and yet I do not recommend it.

For me, nothing happened.

It was just an ordinary day, like any other. I woke up, had my breakfast, and went about my usual routine. There were no surprises, no exciting events, and no major changes.

I went to work, did my tasks, and came home. I watched some TV, read a book, and went to bed. It was a simple and uneventful day.

But sometimes, these ordinary days can be just as valuable as the extraordinary ones. They give us a chance to relax, to recharge, and to appreciate the little things in life.

Even though nothing happened today, I know that tomorrow could be different. And that's what makes life so interesting.

As someone else here wrote, it's a day late and a dollar short if you've read any John Cheever, who is far superior, and seen Mad Men etc.

2.5

I really struggled with the literary merit of this work. It courses between soppiness and cynicism, which makes it a bit of a jumble. And the voice, after a while, is a little grating and bland. It doesn't have that unique charm or depth that one might hope for.

That said, it is very readable. You can breeze through the pages without much effort. But don't expect anything radical, poetic, or profound. It's just an average read that won't leave a lasting impression.

The last page is straight out of Mad Men, which shows that it has had a conspicuous influence on the said show. It's interesting to see the connection, but it also makes one wonder if there's anything truly original in this work. Overall, it's an okay read, but not something that I would highly recommend.

A Ruthless Book.

It really appeals to me, quite a lot actually. It manages to unsettle me, but not to the extent that it would endanger my good impression. In fact, it even enhances it further.

It's sad to be a human being, filled with contradictions and fear :-)

This book seems to have a certain charm that draws me in. It presents a world that is both残酷 and fascinating. The way it explores the human psyche and the complex emotions that come with it is truly remarkable.

Even though it can be a bit disturbing at times, I find myself unable to put it down. It makes me think about my own life and the choices I have made.

In conclusion, this "ruthless book" has had a profound impact on me, and I look forward to seeing what else it has in store.

The first part of the book, titled "The Office in Which I Work", shares a certain flavor with Catch-22. It satirizes the comically absurd nature of bureaucracies, while also delving into the paranoia and inferiority complexes of troubled individuals. Bob Slocum, the protagonist, can perhaps be described as a sex addict with tragic family issues and unfulfilled dreams. His relationships with co-workers are even pettier than those of most middle-school girls, and his family lives in a constant state of fear due to his angry outbursts.

Although the first hundred pages have a similar feel to Catch-22, this book gradually transforms into a dark and angry account. It details the story of a spiteful daughter, a retarded son, a favorite son who is scared of his father, and a constantly tippling wife. Bob struggles with control issues, obsessions, phobias, and haunting memories. He tends to dwell on depressing themes, which gives the narrative a sense of heaviness.

The writing style slips into stream-of-consciousness at times, effectively capturing the hurt and depraved sentiments of the main character. However, unfortunately, the novel seems to lack a clear purpose beyond reminding readers that Freud was right about some people. It presents a rather bleak view of life, suggesting that everyone is as messed up as the next criminal. While there may potentially be a greater message hidden within the text, it is difficult to find amidst the pitiful and languishing lives of the characters. In fact, this aspect is somehow more disturbing than what is found in "The Last Exit to Brooklyn".

It's not titled Catch-22 for a reason. :(

Joseph Heller's "Something Happened" showcases his versatility as a writer, departing significantly from the satirical, all-knowing narration of "Catch-22".

In this novel, the focus is on the dry, self-centered, stream-of-consciousness of businessman Bob Slocum. Repulsive yet relatable, Bob reflects our own fears and desires, much like a distorted funhouse mirror.

The text is uncensored, presenting exactly what Slocum perceives and thinks. He dwells on past experiences, fantasizes about sex, and revisits familiar topics.

Virtually nothing seems to happen in the story until a teenager shouts "something happened" in the penultimate chapter. I won't disclose the twist, but Bob files this shocking event away in his mind, similar to how he handles casualty insurance claims in his first job.

Although there isn't much character development throughout the book, the writing is so skillfully crafted that I found myself enjoying the journey into Bob Slocum's sick mind. His main concerns are work, family, and sex, and Heller brings these topics to life, allowing us to intimately know Slocum.

Heller effortlessly guides us through time and from one topic to another, mirroring the natural flow of our own thoughts. The transitions are seamless, whether we move from dialogue to a multi-page internal monologue and back to conversation. Heller's mastery of parentheses is truly remarkable.

The dialogue is also incredibly realistic, with some of the most delightful moments occurring in the conversations between Bob and his family, especially his son. However, these moments are rare, and we witness far more of Slocum's fumbles, which lead to arguments and strife at home.

"Something Happened" is not for the faint of heart. It's a downer of a novel, and if you can't handle that, it's best to avoid it. Fear pervades Bob's life, both at home and at work. He contemplates divorce but decides against it due to the effort involved, knowing that his next marriage would likely be just as loveless.

Nevertheless, I personally enjoyed the novel. It's also interesting to note the clear parallels between this work and "American Psycho". Brett Easton Ellis must have studied Heller's novels closely before penning his own.

This one was truly a doozy.

In Joseph Heller's remarkable first novel, Catch-22, the author masterfully satirized war while crafting some of the most unforgettable characters ever committed to paper. I firmly believe that Catch-22 is among the very best books, and I don't think I've ever laughed as uproariously at another novel.

Thirteen years later (making George R.R. Martin seem speedy by comparison), Heller penned Something Happened, focusing on the ordinary man. The unhappy businessman with a failed marriage and miserable children. The American man in pursuit of the American dream. Bob Slocum is this man, and the entire book unfolds within his mind. We delve into his thoughts and feelings as he recalls (sometimes unreliably) memories of his past and meticulously examines every single detail of every single moment of his existence. Or at least that's the impression after it's been going on for about 500 pages. The only other book I've read with a similar tone is Bret Easton Ellis' decadent American Psycho (WARNING: reading both of these books consecutively may lead to extreme depression), but what sets Something Happened apart is that Bob Slocum isn't a deranged psychopath; he's just a miserable middle-aged man. He doesn't even do anything! This entire book is充斥着 conversations, memories, woulda-coulda-shoulda's, and blah blah blah. JUST GET ON WITH IT ALREADY! I was completely exhausted after finishing this one and I will never, ever pick it up again. By the end of the last chapter, I was simply thinking about how much better the next book I read will be in comparison to this... thing.

But in the end, something does occur. It isn't anything earth-shattering. There is no insanely crazy Fight Club plot twist, no major revelation. There is only an event and its consequences.

If you adored Catch-22, don't anticipate this to be the same. If you haven't read Catch-22 yet, start with that one first. It's great. Joseph Heller is an outstanding writer, but he doesn't concern himself with whether you get lost in his books. He won't sacrifice complexity for clarity or vision for simplicity. He writes what he feels compelled to write, even if it takes him 13 years, and if you don't like it, he doesn't seem to care. Even though I can barely catch my breath between the massive paragraphs of this book, I still respect Heller's decision to write for those willing to persevere to the bitter end.

The plot of this book may not merit 4 stars, but the dedication does. It's a doozy, but I'm glad I picked it up.