An account of Heller's life, distinct from his writing life, offers a fascinating perspective. I have a great admiration for Heller's sense of humor and his unwavering honesty. There is an immediacy in his writing that gives the impression he is spontaneously creating as he progresses, inserting corrections and footnotes as if engaged in a lively conversation.

I particularly relished the early chapters. This is because I have a weakness for the lore of Old New York. Heller spent his childhood in 1920s Coney Island. So, one can anticipate a succession of charming scenes. Picture oneself strolling along the boardwalk, indulging in Nathan's hot dogs, which cost just a nickel back then!

His childhood experiences in that vibrant and bustling area surely had a profound impact on his writing and his overall perspective on life. It's interesting to think about how those early memories influenced the stories he would later pen.

I've had this on the Kindle for some time now. Perhaps it came with it? I don't recall the how or why it arrived or is on the device. And why I haven't read it until now is a mystery, as well.

I'm reading this or will read as I go along, after I finish his Something Happened.

Dedicated: for my sister, Sylvia.

Contents:
1. The gold ring
2. Coney
3. Sea Gate
4. Work
5. On and on
6. And on and on
7. And on and on and on
8. Peace
9. Psychiatry
10. Danny the Bull.

I think it could be that because this is marked as "sample" on the Kindle I had an aversion to reading it. As if it is incomplete, or something. A taste, like the things you can get in the supermarket. But maybe it is complete? One can hope.

The gold ring begins: The gold ring on the carousels was made of brass. Even as kids in Coney Island we didn't believe it was the real thing. [Kind of like I thought about this on the Kindle, a gold ring. Began to type "brass" but corrected.] By the time we'd grown old enough to ride the outside horses and lunge out sideways to grasp the metal rings that swung toward us for the final few rotations, the carousel was no longer enchanting and we had no deep desire for the free ride that the last, lucky gold one awarded. By then we had nickels enough to go around again if we wanted to, but we tended to spend them on attractions that were higher and faster, more spectacular - roller coasters - and, for fun, the electric bump-cars.

Okie-dokee, then. Onward & upward.

Update, finished, 4 Dec 12, Tuesday afternoon, 3:00 p.m. E.S.T. And no, it was only a "sample". Incomplete, a taste, like you find in the supermarket. Or has Congress outlawed that? So, I acquired the complete telling.

A memoir. What appealed to me is when he wrote about his fiction or when he wrote about his life and from that one could see that he had used events from his life in his fiction. Nothing wrong with that. But hadn't Saul Bellow said something like: by refusing to write about anything that is not thoroughly familiar, the American writer confesses the weakness of the imagination blah blah blah.

Anyway, certainly Heller fictionalized events. I always will think it a hoot that Oprah and company were so upset with Frey - Fry - Fray, whoever it was, that wrote the piece, whatever it was labelled, and were upset when they discovered he had fictionalized parts. The shame! They were surprised? Writers lie. Come on!

And so, that realized, even here, one must take it all with a grain of salt as they say. But I enjoyed when he wrote about his fiction: Although I had from the start, from the second chapter on, been dutifully following a disciplined outline, I hadn't perceived till then how much material of a gory nature was embodied in its fulfillment. There was certainly an awful lot for a novel that has since been described by many as among the funniest they've read.

The bit about the outline struck my fancy, for I have heard - Stephen King if it matters - say/write that any story made from an outline sucks. And too, I've had said to me, why do I get the feeling that everything you write actually happened, which led me to tell an oral story that resulted in the initiation of a police investigation. Heh! I know. I saw the computer traffic. So, what to read next?

Boring and repetitive. This description seems to fit many aspects of our daily lives. We often find ourselves engaged in tasks that lack excitement and variety. There is a lot of unwanted and unnecessary emphasis placed on certain things. For example, in the workplace, we may be required to follow the same procedures over and over again, with little room for creativity or innovation. This can lead to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction. Similarly, in our personal lives, we may fall into the same routines, doing the same things day in and day out. We need to break free from this cycle of boredom and find ways to add more excitement and meaning to our lives. This could involve trying new hobbies, meeting new people, or taking on new challenges.

Memoir

(just what is the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?) by Joseph Heller. This memoir is truly for Heller completest' only, much like myself. It would have a great appeal to those of a certain age who grew up in Coney Island during the 30's, 40's, and 50's.

In this work, there is a significant amount of reminiscing. Heller delves into the changes that have occurred over the years. He also shares his memories of his friends, family, and marriage. Additionally, the war plays a prominent role in his recollections.

Ultimately, this memoir turns out to be a sad and depressing read, especially considering it is written by the man who penned the funniest book ever written. It shows a different side of Heller, one that is filled with melancholy and reflection on the various aspects of his life.

I've never read Catch-22 before. However, after hearing about it, now I'll be inclined to pick it up the next time I see it on the bookshelf.

As memoirs go, it may not be terribly deep or profound. It might not even tug at the heartstrings and evoke very intense emotions.

But what makes it stand out is its amusing nature and the way it is written in a conversational style. It seems like the author is having a friendly chat with the reader, sharing interesting stories and experiences.

This unique combination of humor and a laid-back writing style makes it an appealing read. I'm looking forward to delving into the world of Catch-22 and seeing what all the fuss is about.

I'm sure it will provide me with some entertainment and perhaps even offer some insights into life and human nature.

A nostalgic look back at his childhood beginnings, the author of ‘Catch 22’ creates an almost elegiac picture of his youth and early adulthood in Coney Island. This memoir, although not a close approximation of a biography, focuses on a specific time in Heller’s overall journey towards adulthood. Seemingly too narrow and defined, it nevertheless manages to effectively convey what Heller intended - an evocative and charming portrayal of his upbringing, surroundings, and ultimate path to success.

At times, it recalls the works of Wouk or Nathaniel Benchley with its New York settings. 'Now and Then’ never becomes overly syrupy or overwhelmingly sentimental in its narrative. While I would think it wasn't exactly a great challenge for Heller to write it, it still makes for a pleasant (if that's not too bland a description) read.

A truly strange memoir indeed!

Surprisingly, there are almost no revelations regarding his work or life. It appears that in certain aspects, it is deliberately kept vague.

However, it does have his distinct voice, which makes it clip along entertainingly enough. Moreover, it offers a nostalgic insight into life both before and after the war.

Don't misunderstand me. I still have a great love for his work. But the question that lingers is, why write a memoir if one doesn't wish to reveal oneself?

To me, it felt as if this book was written for the wrong motives. It leaves the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction, longing for more in-depth exploration of the author's personal journey.

Perhaps there are hidden reasons or a desire to maintain a certain level of mystery. Nevertheless, as a memoir, it falls short in providing the expected level of transparency and self-disclosure.

This memoir was truly a delight for me. It served as a wonderful snapshot, vividly depicting what life was like while growing up in Coney Island during the 1930s and 1940s.

Oh, what a fascinating place it must have been! I'm certain that others also relished the references to the writing of Catch 22. However, there weren't an abundance of them.

Overall, his writing style is a bit chaotic for my personal taste. But still, it was really nice to capture the everyday essence of his youth. It gave me a sense of what it was like to live through those times, to experience the joys and sorrows, the ordinary and the extraordinary moments that made up his formative years.

It's as if I was able to step back in time and walk alongside him, witnessing his life unfold in that unique and vibrant place called Coney Island.

Good insight into the man and insight into the times that shaped him and his writing.

To have a profound understanding of a man, one must not only look at his personal qualities and characteristics but also consider the era in which he lived. The times play a crucial role in shaping a person's beliefs, values, and writing style.

By delving into the historical, social, and cultural context of the man's life, we can gain a better understanding of the forces that influenced him. This, in turn, allows us to appreciate his writing on a deeper level.

For example, a writer who lived during a time of war and turmoil may have a more pessimistic and cynical view of the world, which would be reflected in his work. On the other hand, a writer who lived during a period of peace and prosperity may have a more optimistic and idealistic outlook.

In conclusion, having a good insight into the man and the times that shaped him and his writing is essential for a comprehensive understanding of his work. It enables us to see the connections between the individual and the society in which he lived and to appreciate the unique contributions that he made to the literary world.

I quickly perused through it and found it quite enjoyable.

However, it is only truly worth a read if you have a genuine affection for Joseph Heller.

It is essential to set your expectations appropriately.

This work may not be life-changing in the traditional sense, but if you are a die-hard fan of Heller, then it is definitely worth the time and effort to read.

His unique writing style and the way he presents his ideas can be quite captivating for those who appreciate his work.

So, if you fall into that category, go ahead and give it a try.

You might just find something that resonates with you and adds to your understanding and appreciation of Heller's body of work.

Disappointed.

It is not a biography in the true sense. It fails to clearly阐述 how his magnum opus came into being. All that one can learn is merely about a few characters in the book. For me, Catch 22 is the book of the century, and its genesis is precisely what I desired to know about.

All we end up learning is about his gluttony and the fate of his childhood friends. There are no details provided about his numerous girlfriends, his near-fatal illness, his issues with his literary agents and publishers. It is truly a letdown as a biography, as it seems to miss out on many crucial aspects of his life that could have added depth and understanding to the man behind the masterpiece.

A little bit of the voice of Bob Slocum speaks out of these pages - and Gold too.

It is an affectionate recount of his (mostly early) life. This book offers an enjoyable read, especially if you are affectionate towards the subject matter and have an interest in Joseph Heller.

One notable aspect is the tendency to repeat certain elements, which is a characteristic feature of his novels. However, this should be seen as an observation rather than a criticism. In fact, it adds a certain rhythm and emphasis to the narrative.

Personally, I was deeply affected and highly interested by this work. The engaging story and the unique writing style made it a captivating read from start to finish. Hence, I have awarded it five stars.

Overall, this book provides a fascinating insight into the life of Bob Slocum and is well worth a read for fans of Joseph Heller and those interested in engaging and thought-provoking literature.