Catch-22, or How I Learned How to Write
Joseph Heller died in 1999. But unlike many other writers of his generation, a phrase — a name, really — that he created will likely live on far after him.
If most people remember George Orwell for his use of a simple year, 1984, then most people remember Heller for the title of his 1961 novel “Catch-22.”
“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions.”
On March 6, Simon & Schuster will release “Catch As Catch Can: The Collected Stories and Other Writings of Joseph Heller” (333 pages, $25).
One of the stories is titled “Catch-23: Yossarian Lives.” Doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it?
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Spokane 7." Read all stories from this blog