‘Catch-22’ still relevant

  Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22” finds the balance between being a thought-provoking novel and a novel with dry, sarcastic and sometimes black humor.
  The story of Yossarian parallels that of some soldiers who are on the front lines today. Yossarian wants out of the military, but every time he comes close to his mission quota his superior raises the number of required missions. But, that is just one of many of the intersecting and riveting story lines that form the centerpiece of this superb piece of writing.
  The real achievement of this novel is its ability to stay relevant more than 40 years after first being published. By creating a narrative that is both cynical and stirring, Heller manages to capture the mind of the reader within the first chapter. The cast of characters is diverse, and that allows any reader who picks up this novel to find one character with whom he or she identifies.
  By borrowing elements used in other great works, “Catch-22” stands as an all-around balanced book.
  This book is the perfect novel for anyone wanting both a fun experience and a great example of what a book ought to be.