Catch-22 vs Slaughterhouse Five
10-10-03, 06:33 AM
#1
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Catch-22 vs Slaughterhouse Five
so... i'm reading Slaughterhouse Five right now, and i keep making comparisons of S5 to Catch-22 because they are both satirical takes on WWII.
my question is this: which book do you prefer? so far, my verdict is going to Catch-22, but i have yet to finish Slaughterhouse Five (let alone reach the halfway point)...
discuss.
-di doctor-
my question is this: which book do you prefer? so far, my verdict is going to Catch-22, but i have yet to finish Slaughterhouse Five (let alone reach the halfway point)...
discuss.
-di doctor-
10-10-03, 10:24 AM
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Catch-22 easily.
However, IMO, it was the only good book Heller ever wrote. Vonnegut, on the other hand, wrote many other fine novels, some better than Slaughterhouse-Five.
However, IMO, it was the only good book Heller ever wrote. Vonnegut, on the other hand, wrote many other fine novels, some better than Slaughterhouse-Five.
10-10-03, 02:05 PM
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Re: Catch-22 vs Slaughterhouse Five
Originally posted by DrRingDing
i keep making comparisons of S5 to Catch-22 because they are both satirical takes on WWII.
i keep making comparisons of S5 to Catch-22 because they are both satirical takes on WWII.
As far as which book would I want to read again if I had to pick one? I'd probably go with the Heller.
10-12-03, 10:59 AM
#6
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Catch-22 is a much better book.
Heller is funnier, sadder, and more surreal. Vonnegut likes to hit his readers over the head with a club, and keeps the style simple so no one misses the point. Heller is willing to challenge his readers. Vonnegut lays everything out so that even dumb people get it, and then still has to explain it again in the introduction.
Heller has an infinitely varied palette. Bing cherries, marching practice, Snowden, and comments from the peanut gallery are permanant images in my mind. Vonnegut can't think of anything between a soldier in fairy boots and being locked up in an alien zoo with a porn star. The best parts of the book are the few where he's writing from his life.
Heller is funnier, sadder, and more surreal. Vonnegut likes to hit his readers over the head with a club, and keeps the style simple so no one misses the point. Heller is willing to challenge his readers. Vonnegut lays everything out so that even dumb people get it, and then still has to explain it again in the introduction.
Heller has an infinitely varied palette. Bing cherries, marching practice, Snowden, and comments from the peanut gallery are permanant images in my mind. Vonnegut can't think of anything between a soldier in fairy boots and being locked up in an alien zoo with a porn star. The best parts of the book are the few where he's writing from his life.
10-13-03, 02:36 PM
#7
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Catch-22 definetly. I highly recommend both books, but Catch-22 is the better book. Anyone that has served in the military can completly relate.
10-17-03, 05:27 AM
#8
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just finished reading S5 last night...
i was hoping for some profound resolution that might drastically improve upon my impression of the book... as it stands, in my mind, i wouldn't even classify it in the same league as Catch-22. so it goes.
of course, that's not to say that it is in any way a bad book. it is certainly a good book, but i just don't think it holds a candle to Catch-22. then again, i am beginning to think that Catch-22 might just be my favorite book ever...
-di doctor-
i was hoping for some profound resolution that might drastically improve upon my impression of the book... as it stands, in my mind, i wouldn't even classify it in the same league as Catch-22. so it goes.
of course, that's not to say that it is in any way a bad book. it is certainly a good book, but i just don't think it holds a candle to Catch-22. then again, i am beginning to think that Catch-22 might just be my favorite book ever...
-di doctor-
