Joseph Heller published Catch-22 in 1961. It is a satirical novel set during the Second World War. It mainly follows the life of the anti-hero Captain John Yossarian, a US Army Air Force B-25 bombardier. The novel examines the absurdity of war and military life through the experiences of Yossarian and his cohorts.
Throughout the novel, Yossarian’s main concern is the idea that people are trying to kill him, either directly by attacking his plane or indirectly by forcing him to fly missions. He goes to great lengths to stay alive. Yossarian and his mates attempt to maintain their sanity while fulfilling their service requirements so that they may return home as soon as possible.
The idea for Catch-22 was based on Joseph Heller’s personal experience in World War II. The feelings that Yossarian and the other bomber pilots felt were taken directly from problems he suffered while on duty.
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