"Catch-22" is a satirical novel written by Joseph Heller, first published in 1961. The book is set during World War II and follows the experiences of Captain John Yossarian, an American bombardier stationed on a fictional Mediterranean island. The title refers to a paradoxical military regulation that states if a pilot requests a mental evaluation to avoid dangerous missions, they are deemed sane, but their desire to avoid danger proves their sanity, thus trapping them in a cycle of illogical reasoning.
The novel explores the absurdity and bureaucracy of war, highlighting the struggles and moral dilemmas faced by the characters. Through dark humor and sharp wit, Heller critiques the dehumanizing effects of war and the illogical systems that perpetuate it.