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Catch-22 Audiobook, by Joseph Heller Play Audiobook Sample

Catch-22 Audiobook

Catch-22 Audiobook, by Joseph Heller Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Jay O. Sanders Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 13.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 10.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2017 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781508251521

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

45

Longest Chapter Length:

57:30 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

31 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

26:37 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

4

Other Audiobooks Written by Joseph Heller: > View All...

Publisher Description

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Several decades after its initial publication, Catch-22 remains a cornerstone of American literature and one of the funniest—and most celebrated—novels of all time. In recent years it has been named to “best novels” lists by Time, Newsweek, the Modern Library, and the London Observer.

Set in Italy during World War II, this is the story of the incomparable, malingering bombardier, Yossarian, a hero who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him. But his real problem is not the enemy—it is his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to excuse himself from the perilous missions he’s assigned, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved. Since its publication in 1961, no novel has matched Catch-22’s intensity and brilliance in depicting the brutal insanity of war.

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"This book is a classic, and also the basis for the saying "so here's my catch 22". I feel as though these sayings and their origins are lost on people when they don't know it's history. Phrases such as these, devil's advocate, etc, all have their origins somewhere, and if nothing more, it is important to know where these saying came from. Beyond that, this book is stellar. Advanced in thought, so reserved for higher, high school, grades, I will for sure use this in my future classroom when appropriate."

— Katharine (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “To my mind, there have been two great American novels in the past fifty years. Catch-22 is one.”

    — Stephen King, #1 New York Times bestselling author
  • “This novel is not merely the best American novel to come out of World War II; it is the best American novel that has come out of anywhere in years.”

    — The Nation
  • “It’s the rock and roll of novels…There’s no book like it…Surprisingly powerful.”

    — Esquire
  • “One of the greatest anti-war books ever written.”

    — Vanity Fair
  • “One of the most bitterly funny works in the language…Explosive, bitter, subversive, brilliant.”

    — New Republic

Awards

  • One of Time Magazine's Best 100 English-Language Novels from 1923–2005
  • A London Observer Pick of One of the 100 Greatest Novels of All Time
  • One of the Modern Library's 100 Best English-Language Novels of the Twentieth Century
  • An Amazon Editor’s Top Pick of 10 Best Books Adapted for the Screen
  • A New York Public Library Staff Pick of Favorite Books of the Last 125 Years
  • A PBS Great American Read selection

Catch-22 Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 5 (3.84)
5 Stars: 14
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 4
Narration: 4.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 5 (4.67)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 3.6666666666666665 out of 53.6666666666666665 out of 53.6666666666666665 out of 53.6666666666666665 out of 53.6666666666666665 out of 5 (3.67)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Colder68, 7/7/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — James Scammell, 4/1/2023
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    — Tim Farrelly, 11/10/2022
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " For my $$$ the funniest book ever written. I re-read it in 2005 as the Iraq War became the Iraq fiasco and realized Heller wasn't giving his reader a look back at WWII as much as he was predicting the future. "

    — Jp, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It's been a while since I read this book but I do remember this what a wonderful and funny book this was. Highly recommend. "

    — Carey, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really want to like it... its just too much "

    — dave, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I hated this book so much. I rarely will not finish a book but I just couldn't get into this one. Unbelievably confusing and yet not interesting, so boring. There were so many characters with long names, plot - if you could say it had one - hard to follow, it really is about nothing. "

    — Caitlin, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book for a college course, and have re-read numerous times. It is irreverant, witty, smart, sad, sarcastic and has some of the most quoteable lines ever. A favorite and a must read. "

    — Patty, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love, love, loved it. Hilarious and catchy. "

    — Madara, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " excellent read if your into reading about a bunch of characters with their own perception of each other and the characteristics of such characters that would have you in stitches of laughter. Have read the book a few times when boredom has surfaced and its still as good as ever. "

    — Teresa, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " one of my favourites. not a typical war story but it has a great sense of humor, erotica and wonderfully describes how pointless war actually is. doc daneeka was my ever favourite "

    — Anna, 12/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book. Fun, smart, well written. I would highly recommend it. "

    — Tom, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Funny .... But disturbing funny. Like a nervous laugh. "

    — Long, 11/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of funniest and craziest books about war I've read. "

    — Peter, 11/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This Book bring in view how there is always something to get in your way of succeeding, at least, until you find the loop-hold to get around it. "

    — Gloria, 10/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " In high school my teacher read the Snowden part out loud and it affected me so much that it made me sick. I almost had to run out of the classroom. "

    — Eva, 3/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Everyone needs a "war is hell" fix from time to time, yeah? Catch-22 certainly merits a re-read...lots to keep track of and I think I'd get even more out of it on a second go. "

    — Elise, 3/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of the few books when I liked the movie better than the book. Couldn't finish the audio version. "

    — Therese, 11/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved the movie. The book has always left me cold. "

    — Patrick, 8/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Literally the best book ever written. Literally. A book not worth reading a 2nd time was never worth reading once. On my third time. "

    — Brian, 12/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Got this book because of its popularity ! Couldn't stand it beyond 30 - 40 pages. Looks like a majority of people have liked this book a lot. May be its me..not the book !! "

    — Dinakara, 9/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A must read for every fan of Franz Kafka. "

    — Daria, 7/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Nah, not my type of books. Boring, confusing and very stupid. "

    — Sara, 7/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this as a young man after seeing the movie. Loved its dark humour. "

    — Louis, 6/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another must read for everyone. I think everyone should read it. Most school kids do read it. "

    — Crystal, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I cried when Nately died. Books that make me cry are usually superb. "

    — Paige, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " funniest book that i have read in years period "

    — Steef, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Misogynistic drivel. Hated it. Perhaps it appeals to teenage boys that have been brought up to know no better??!! "

    — Clare, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is one of my most favorite books. It's like Gogol' of America. After this book (+One Flew Over The Cuckoo Nest) I changed my attitude to American nation (to better). "

    — Stetsenko, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Brilliantly funny anti-war book. I've read this several times over the years.<br/><br/> "

    — Pete, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A bit too-streched towards the end, but still great reading. "

    — Niko, 5/12/2011

About Joseph Heller

Joseph Heller (1923—1999) is the highly acclaimed author of Catch-22, a story loosely based on his own experiences during World War II. A bestseller, instant classic, and later feature film, Catch-22 secured his place in literary history. He later went on to write such novels as Good as Gold; God Knows; Picture This; Closing Time; and Portrait of an Artist, as an Old Man

About Jay O. Sanders

Jay O. Sanders began his acting career off-Broadway in Shakespearean roles then went on to appear in numerous films and television series, including Revolutionary Road, The Day after Tomorrow, and Kiss the Girls, based on the novel by James Patterson. He has narrated more than fifty audio books over the years, including the bestselling My Losing Season by Pat Conroy and Dean Koontz’s Dragon Tears and Mr. Murder. He also won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.