Joseph Heller Orden de los libros

Fifty years after its original publication, Catch-22 remains a cornerstone of American literature and one of the funniest—and most celebrated—books 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. This fiftieth-anniversary edition commemorates Joseph Heller’s masterpiece with a new introduction by Christopher Buckley; a wealth of critical essays and reviews by Norman Mailer, Alfred Kazin, Anthony Burgess, and others; rare papers and photos from Joseph Heller’s personal archive; and much more. Here, at last, is the definitive edition of a classic of world literature.

De zwarte humor, de absurde logica en onvergetelijke personages als Yossarian, de bommenrichter die denkt dat de vijand erop uit is hem te vermoorden, en de gewiekste messofficier Milo Minderbinder, maken Joseph Hellers Catch-22 tot een indrukwekkend boek. Catch-22 is de oorlogsroman die alle andere oorlogsromans overbodig maakt: origineel, bitter, vulgair, geestig, spitsvondig en ontroerend.

The previously uncollected writings of Joseph Heller, including hitherto unpublished stories, lost chapters from CATCH-22 and further tales from that novel's unforgettable 'hero', Yossarian.

Прошло полвека со времени первой публикации, но "Поправка-22" по-прежнему остается краеугольным камнем американской литературы и одной из самых знаменитых книг всех времен. "Time", "Newsweek", "Modern Library", "London Observer" включили ее в списки "лучших романов", а в списке "200 лучших книг по версии BBC" она занимает 11 место. Эта оригинальная история о службе летчиков ВВС США в период Второй мировой войны полна несуразных ситуаций, не менее несуразных смешных диалогов, безумных персонажей и абсурдных бюрократических коллизий, связанных с некой не существующей на бумаге, но от этого не менее действенной "поправкой-22" в законе, гласящей о том, что "всякий, кто хочет уклониться от боевого задания, нормален и, следовательно, годен к строевой"… Это произведение сложно назвать просто антивоенным романом. Это глубокая всеобъемлющая сатира на нашу повседневность, образ жизни и принципы "цивилизованного" общества.

Imagine an author who has become a legend in his own lifetime - all because of the novel he wrote in the first flush of youth. Novelist Eugene Pota is a cultural icon of the twentieth century, struggling to write what will be the last novel of his career. But what to write about when, like so many noted authors before him, all of Pota's output since that first, landmark novel has been scrutinized and dissected - and found wanting? PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST, AS AN OLD MAN follows Pota's efforts to settle on a subject for his final work. In his search, Heller - through Pota - pays homage to his favourite authors and discusses the problems that have plagued so many writers whose later works failed to live up to the successes of their first: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James, Jack London, Joseph Conrad, to name but a few. It is a rare and enthralling look into the artist's search for creativity, a search that comes at a point in life when impotence - both sexual and spiritual - has become a frustrating fact. Joseph Heller must have known that this would be his final novel; it stands as a fitting testament to the life and works of a leading light in modern literature.

Joseph Heller präsentiert seine Autobiographie in einem unaufgeregten, manchmal lässigen Ton und erzählt von seiner Kindheit und Jugend auf Coney Island, seiner Studienzeit nach dem Krieg und seinem Werdegang als Autor. Die Erzählung folgt eher einem assoziativen als einem strengen chronologischen Verlauf. Besonders eindrücklich zeigt Heller, wie selektiv und parteiisch Erinnerungen sein können. So erwähnt er beispielsweise seine Zeit als Pilot im Zweiten Weltkrieg nur am Rande, obwohl dieses Erlebnis ihn stark geprägt haben muss. Auch die schwere Nervenerkrankung, die ihn 1981 fast vollständig lähmte, wird nur beiläufig angesprochen. Es scheint, als wolle Heller sich nicht auf die großen Ereignisse seines Lebens konzentrieren, sondern eher auf die farbenfrohen, detailreichen Aspekte. Seine Erinnerungen enden, wo sie begonnen haben – auf Coney Island, dem einstigen Vergnügungsviertel New Yorks. Doch die glitzernde Welt seiner Kindheit ist verschwunden, die Freunde haben sich zerstreut, und die nostalgischen Traditionen sind neuen Moden gewichen. Heller selbst ist zu einem literarischen Denkmal geworden. Umso sympathischer ist sein gelassener und heiterer Umgang mit der Erinnerung, der ohne Selbstinszenierung oder Eigenlob auskommt.

The demented Army Air Force of Catch-22, the lethal business world of Something Happened, and the dysfunctional family of Good as Gold are rooted in Joseph Heller's past. Over thirty-five years after Catch-22's explosion into the world, Heller shares his life story. He recounts his Coney Island childhood during the Depression, growing up in a fatherless family yet enjoying life on the boardwalk, in the ocean, and in school. His journey includes various jobs, from delivering telegrams to working in a navy yard, leading to his service in the air force during World War II. After the war, he attended college thanks to the G.I. Bill, pursued teaching, and ventured into Madison Avenue, all while continuously writing. The success of Catch-22 marked the beginning of a remarkable literary career. The strengths of this memoir lie in the energy, humor, and mischief characteristic of Heller's work, alongside the dark undertones that accompany them. He vividly recalls a Coney Island that symbolizes fun and a seemingly golden age of innocence. For the first time, he discusses the people and events that inspired memorable characters and scenes in his writing. This memoir offers both an account of a remarkable life and insight into the creative process of a major American writer.