2001: A Space Odyssey
Who would have thought that it was possible to get stranger than the movie of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Well buckle up because this book does it.
The premise of this book is that some form of alien race has left a crystal block which is capable of giving the spark of knowledge to humans.
A major theme of the book is questioning what is life and what is a mind - particularly with HAL the homicidal computer.
Title: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Author: Arthur C. Clarke
Rating: 4/5
Catch 22
This novel was the origin of the term "catch 22" relating to paradoxes. It details the descent into madness of a bomber pilot, Yossarian. The story gives a sense of being trapped, the insanity of war and the reader shares the state of confusion which Yossarian finds himself in.
The concept of catch 22 centres around the paradox that to be found unfit to fly due to insanity the pilot must request to be sent home. However requesting to be sent home - away from dangerous missions - is a sign of sanity. Thus it is not actually possible to be sent home.
An interesting literary device which the author used was to write some text that was so over the top that it throws the reader out of their imagination. Normally this is a very bad thing for writing or movies (Matrix 2 freeway seen for example) and is normally a sign of poor writing rather than a technique.
In Catch 22 however this device is used with a certain rhythm and the confusion of the reader being thrown out of the book helps the reader to share the confusion that Yossarian is facing. As the book progresses Yossarian begins to hallucinate and become paranoid.
He is at war though - so people really are trying to kill him.
An excellent novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Title: Catch 22
Author: Joseph Heller
Rating: 5/5
