It could be argued that in embarking on writing a sequel to "Catch 22" was indeed the ultimate Catch 22 itself. Unless "Closing Time" proved to be an absolute classic, a wonderful funny-sad commentry on contemporary life, then it would pale in comparison with it's predesessor. Make it too similar, of course, and the author is open to charges that he is merely retreading old ground. Heller waited 25 years to write this sequel, and sets some of the characters introduced in "Catch 22" in modern life. More than forty years after the War, Yossarian remains as abrasive and dissatisfied as ever in his old age. Milo remains the entrepreneur of his earlier life. Both these characters have made successes of themselves in the business world. "Closing Time" attachs the absurdities of the contemporary business world in the same way as "Catch 22" attachs the absurdities and attrocities of war. Milo's new idea is to sell a stealth bomber type aircraft to the American military, and he employs Yossarian and his son, Michael, to help him sell the plane to the military. Yossarian has the ear of the "little p***k", the American President, who is obsessed with video games. Yossarian also has the plan of holding a massively expensive and gaudy wedding ceremony in a bus shelter. When exploring this possibility he finds a network of tunnels beneath the ground, where officials are safe from nuclear war, and dead people live with their wealth.The characters of Yossarian and Milo remain as good points in this book. Yossarian has the feel of a "dirty old man" in some of his sexual flirtings, and has certainly grown old disgracefully. He does however show a devotion to his son Michael. Yossarian still shows that biting wit at times, especially when dealing with the private detective that has bugged his telephone, and in conversations with his son Michael over what he is going to do with his life. Milo's dodgy dealings remain as fun as ever, attempting to sell a plane he has no intention of building. Mingling with these are passages from other old characters Sammy and Lew, which bring a note of seriousness in comparison with the decadent lifestyle led by the other two. It remains strange to see Yossarian in such circumstances as in this book. "Catch 22" is a difficult if impossible book to follow up, and the only way to really read this is to totally detach that book. If you do not expect another "Catch 22" you will still enjoy the updated exploits of Yossarian and friends.

When I read Catch-22, I came away laughing uproariously. When I discovered that there was a sequel, I immediately knew that I would have to read it. Having finished it, I have analyzed it to some extent, and I think that it may be too close too home for many people to fully appreciate it's comedic properties. Remember that Catch-22 was released in or around 1955, remember also that it recieved some horrible reviews. My point is that If Catch-22 has grown more beloved with the passage of time, might not the same be true of Closing Time? Looking back on the book, I can see how much of it might be funny to an outside observer. However, it seems that it is harder for those of us who are living within the realm of the book to appreciate it. Sort of like how you can't see all America if you're standing in Denver. I truly liked the book and reccomend it to anyone who has read Catch-22. And even those who haven't. But if you're about to read it for the first time, remember, it isn't Catch-22. Don't expect it to be

Beeing of age 30+ and born in middle Europe I have never found Catch 22 to be really appealing novel. I would be probably never born unless U.S. troups entered the World War II. Catch 22 is perhaps good intellectual excersise but dealing only around the edge of final unavoidable causalties when one finds it difficult to sacrifice himself. Understandable and having strange side ethic impacts.

Closing time is different story coming from my World and my time. It is serious satire warning which forecasts what could perhaps happen and why and also how the western civilization twisted in recent decades. My mind values such a work written with brilliant and unique technique much more then the emotional postevent cries. While Catch 22 was of little practical usage for life of all of us, Closing time digs deeply to the fuzzy beginnings of the causes using the author's 22 like paradox tool which could be sorted as dialectic, unmodern and difficult to accept by too serious readers. If we only pay attention. To much extent I agree with the writer's critical points while the book more then often laughs me on.

If there is any weak point this is that similar causes proliferate around the entire World in huge variety and sometimes even quite new clothes. Both Catch 22 and Closing time show the outside undescribed world as unknown and/or unbeliavable. Catch 22 uses the scope of small army unit, Closing time is enlarged to that of U.S. society. But the other World simply is here evolving and behaving its own ways, interacting with any subject's common world.

Btw. seems Amazon should reconsider the 5 stars indicator as "average" result simply can not reflect the love/hate rate distribution of this and other really good works.