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Yossarian Slept Here: When Joseph Heller Was Dad, the Apthorp Was Home, and Life Was a Catch-22 Audiobook
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(3.06) - 109 listener ratings
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Like his most famous work, Joseph Heller was a study in contradictions: eccentric, brilliant, and voracious, but also mercurial, competitive, and stubborn, with a love of mischief that sometimes cut too close to the bone.
Yossarian Slept Here is a daughter's mordantly funny, poignant, and incisive memoir about growing up Heller—from her colorful family members and her parents' passionate and tumultuous 38-year marriage, to her father's celebrity friends and the family's eccentric neighbors in New York City's historic Apthorp apartment building. Mel Brooks, Zero Mostel, and Mario Puzo were close confidantes of Joe; George Balanchine, Sidney Poitier, and Lena Horne shared the elevator. This authentic and vibrant portrait of life in the Heller household unfolds alongside the saga of the family's move into four distinctive apartments within the Apthorp, each representing a different phase of their lives together—and apart. It is a story about achieving a dream, about fame and its aftermath, about lasting love, squandered opportunities and how to have the best meal in Chinatown.
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"A great book. Erica gave a lot of insights into the man and author. She related some crazy and sad things about her dad that I almost wish I didn't know."
— Thomas (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Charming and combative.”
— New York Times -
A rare combination of candor, humor, and compassion, this book is for all [listeners], especially of literary and family memoirs, and all fans of Heller. A fine combo with Tracy Daugherty's Just One Catch: A Biography of Joseph Heller.
— Library Journal Starred Review -
“A rare combination of candor, humor, and compassion, this book is for all [listeners], especially of literary and family memoirs, and all fans of Heller. A fine combo with Tracy Daugherty’s Just One Catch: A Biography of Joseph Heller."
— Library Journal (starred review) -
“For those with an interest in Joseph Heller, this is a must-listen as the details on his family and life experiences provide insights into how his life influenced his prize-winning writing.”
— AudioFile -
“An affectionate family scrapbook crafted with a bittersweet blend of humor and pathos.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Yossarian Slept Here Listener Reviews
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" Library book. Full review to come. "
— Bex, 9/15/2013 -
" Funny perspective on the family life of Joseph Heller by his daughter. Loved it. Will be ready to read Catch 22 next. "
— Betty, 5/29/2013 -
" A nice read about an interesting relationship. "
— John, 3/24/2013 -
" Absolutely superb. The best book I have ever read about Joseph Heller. And I have read widely. "
— William, 3/3/2013 -
" I'm about a third of the way through the audio book version. It's very interesting so far, and well read by Karen White. Erica Heller is an excellent writer and really keeps the story bouncing. "
— Serena_v, 5/6/2012 -
" Fantastic, loving look from inside a complicated family. Surprise ending. Recommended. "
— David, 9/3/2011
About Erica Heller
Erica Heller is the daughter of Joseph Heller, the author of Catch-22. An advertising copywriter, novelist, and creative consultant, her work has appeared in the New York Observer and on the Huffington Post website. She lives in New York City at the ever-evolving Apthorp apartment building.
About Karen White
Karen White has been narrating audiobooks of all genres since 1999. Honored to be included in AudioFile’s Best Voices, she’s also a four-time Audie Finalist and has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and Library Journal starred reviews.