Catch-22

by Joseph Heller · 1961

Catch-22, first published in 1961, is Joseph Heller's satirical masterpiece set on a Mediterranean island during World War II. The novel follows Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier who desperately tries to avoid deadly combat missions while confronting the absurd bureaucratic rule known as "Catch‑22": a man is deemed insane if he continues to fly dangerous missions, yet if he requests relief he is proven sane and cannot be excused. The story blends dark humor, horror, and protest against the madness of war, and has become a cornerstone of American literature, celebrated for its innovative narrative style and its influence on the English language.