Catch-22 Wrap up

I have now read more books about war than I ever dreamed. Through this book club I have read War & Peace, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Catch-22, and for my Adult Book Discussion I have read Season of Betrayal, Three Day Road and Resistance: A Novel.

War, the portrayal of war, and the perception of war through the "entertainment" media are all very personal. My father was in Vietnam between my 3rd and 4th birthdays and my impression of that time was my mother constantly crying. I'm sure that wasn't true, but when he walked through the gate into the Ultra 70s purple-painted waiting room of the airport on Easter Sunday to come home to us, I knew everything would finally be okay for our family. Over time, however, I couldn't help but be influenced by my experience of other vets and shattered families. We were fortunate that my father weathered his experience and came home with a Bronze Star, a volleyball scar, and photographs he readily shared with us. When I watch Vietnam movies, however, I feel anguish. The filmakers are able to tap into that part of me that knows I am the happy product of a successful Vietnam return that easily could have gone the other way.

Until recently, my only exposure to war-related "entertainment" had been film and TV shows, not books. I wasn't sure I could be moved by books. After All Quiet we commented on the power such a tiny book held. While there were some highly comical moments in Catch-22, I find I am mostly just saddened by the futility of the war effort and the death. I couldn't find it funny even though I know it's a black comedy. The scenario seems too believable, too current, perhaps that's the problem. I appreciated the absurdity of the Syndicate and Milo's complex distribution schemes and Major Major's refusal to see anyone. I look forward to seeing how the book translates into film, it's in my Netflix queue.

Ulysses

I finished Joyce's "masterpiece" a few weeks ago, and I finally put some thoughts together. I did not like the book, and it was not only because it was very difficult to read. I mean, yes, I needed spark notes and annotations. I found the book to be quite boring (except for the last 40 pages). More importantly, I did not like any of the characters. It turns out that I am like the tv station USA- characters welcome! I am proud that I read it, but I would not recommend the book. War and Peace was soooo much better. I may write more later, but for now, I am looking forward to Catch-22.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, Book Club enthusiasts. The deal was Ulysses and then Catch-22. Well, we successfully completed the task of reading Joyce by Christmas so with the new year comes Heller. Next week we start Catch-22. Please join us.

Mission Accomplished

Last night I finished the book. I wasn't sure I could do it, but Ulysses by Christmas is a reality. I feel good for having made it through the book, but I recognize that as soon as I finished I immediately turned to the annotations and 2 different books of notes for clues. My ability to pronounce all of the words far exceeded my ability to understand them as grouped. In the end, however, I achieved the goal of reading Ulysses, all of it.

The End is in Sight

If you ever want to put off doing something just say, 'let me finish this sentence..." and then pick up Ulysses for the last sentence. I'm there now and will be for 40+ more pages. This last sentencesection (I can be Joycean, too) is devoid of punctuation, including apostrophes and periods. Jeepers Thats all I can say about that you can believe it you sure can Oh my goodness

I expect to finish the book tonight and then read the notes to learn what the book was about. Did I really read the book or pronounce words to myself in my head? I'll let you know once I finish the notes.

Halftime

Today I made it to the halfway point of Ulysses. I still feel like I'm slogging through the snow, uphill, but today I made it to the top of the mountain. So...I get the politics of a free Ireland; my whole life I have listened to this. In fact, I can't get behind the drink Black and Tan if it is composed as Guinness and Bass Ale. Another major theme seems to be antisemitism. Terrific, two things I understand! Right before the halfway point there were a couple of sections consisting primarily of lists. While I'm sure the annotations will explain how this was great literature, I was reminded of my writing assignments in grade school when I incorporated the entire required vocabulary list into 1 or 2 sentences. Here's one of my greatest hits:
"The pink chair sat on the red rug in a room that included..." then I would list whatever other nouns, etc. could possibly fit. Cheating or Joycean?

On and On

The calendar tells me it is December and my tabbed copy of Ulysses tells me I am in trouble. I fear I may not make the goal of Ulysses by Christmas. Four tabs down, seven to go. Those Dedalus chapters are killer or should I say "chaptersarekiller" and start crafting my own faux compound words? I know I can do this but I digressed with a detour into Stieg Larsson, so I lost a little time. Maybe if I apply myself...