I recently read Catch 22 and found it somewhat underwhelming after having heard all my life what a brilliant, biting satire it was. While the concept of Catch 22 itself was brilliant, I found the novel a rather tedious read. Now I see that Heller penned a sequel. I just don’t have it in me to read it; yet I am somewhat curious as to Yossarian’s ultimate fate. Anybody read it?
I absolutely adore Catch 22, but did find Closing Time underwhelming, so it might be doubly underwhelming for you. Unfortunately this means I can’t actually remember what happens in it, at least not at the end. So I’m also hoping someone can remind me…
(Having read other Heller books I have come to the conclusion that his maddening repetitious style is perfectly suited to Catch 22; but to his other books? Not so greatly.)
I found Closing Time overwhelmingly weird and incoherent. Like Staggerlee I don’t remember what happens, although I vaguely remember an underground amusement park run by a dead man or something.
I do remember that it takes place 40 or 50 years after Catch 22.