Catch As Catch Can - Softcover

Heller, Joseph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0743239784 ISBN 13: 9780743239783

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK, 2003

Synopsis

Not many writers introduce a phrase - let alone a whole idea - into the language. In CATCH-22, Joseph Heller invented a motif for the modern world. The book shaped everything that came after it, establishing Heller's reputation as one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. But where did the author who was able to create that novel come from? And what happened to those remarkable characters? On the eightieth anniversary of Heller's birth, CATCH AS CATCH CAN for the first time collects his stories to chart the development of a genius. From Heller's recollections of his Coney Island childhood to the later stories of his greatest creation, Yossarian, CATCH AS CATCH CAN is the last great work of one of the twentieth century's most important literary figures.

About this title

Review

With his first book, the seminal anti-war novel Catch-22, Joseph Heller became one of American literature's most important 20th-century writers. The posthumous collection, Catch As Catch Can: The Collected Stories and Other Writings, shows Heller's early development as a writer, but in essence provides the "outtakes", "B-sides" and sketches related to Catch-22 and several non-fiction pieces regarding it, mixed with juvenilia. A more appropriate title might have been The Making of Catch-22.

This collection contains a great many works that revolve around or contain characters from Catch-22, including two chapters cut from the novel published here as independent stories: "Love, Dad" and "Yossarian Survives". Not surprisingly, these are the strongest works in the book. "Love, Dad" provides the first introduction to Edward J Nately III, who "was often lonely and nagged by vague, incipient longings. He contemplated his sophomore year at Harvard without enthusiasm, without joy. Fortunately, the War broke out in time to save him". Joseph Heller will be known forever for his great novel, Catch-22, and Catch As Catch Can serves to back up this notion. --Michael Ferch, Amazon.com

Review

The San Diego Union-Tribune Read this collection chronologically to appreciate Heller's growing command of tone and plot. Or dip in and out to sample his variety, which encompassed theater..., stories of romance, violence and heroin, travel writing and the memoir. He was so versatile that he could have concentrated on any one of these genres.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0743239784
• ISBN 13: 9780743239783
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352