I read "Catch 22" when in the Navy, and its portrayal of officials single-mindedly devoted to following the rules with a total disregard for common sense really hit home.
At the young age of 14, Zombie Joseph Heller double-died yesterday. The re-animated remains of the great author of Catch-22 had apparently taken residence in the Haunted House of the fair grounds of his home town of Coney Island. Manager John Griggs reports that he had often told Zombie Heller that he should go home at the end of his shift, but Zombie Heller only ever replied "brains". "I thought he was just staying in character or maybe just stoned," Griggs said.
Catch-22 is still my vote for the greatest American novel.
Not a wasted vote. If you believe in voting. Which I do not.
The Greatest American Novel from the 1900's is: Sometimes a Great Notion, by Ken Kesey.
The Greatest American Novel from the 1800's is: Huckleberry Finn, by Sam I am.
I read Catch-22 when just out of High School, Loved it. Read it years later - still a great read. But it had dimmed a bit. Overhyped - like Catcher in Rye often is.
Oh no, not Desmond Llewelyn too, so sad. The worst part of finding out that one of your favorite actors died years ago is realizing that they were unable to make movies that I might have enjoyed at some point in the interim.
The Great American Novel has to deal with the American Dream, whether it be the 19th century dream of freedom and movement (Huck Finn) or the 20th century dream of "success" however you define that (or failure to become a success, as in "A Fan's Notes").
If "Death of a Salesman" had been a novel, it would be the Great American Novel of the 20th century.