Categories: response
Date: 29 July 2009 08:08:58
I'm glad that Kerensa has found the Corbetts, and impressed that she has kept a record of when she read it. Last week's discussion has started me thinking about books I read in hospital. More particularly, I am reminded of a book which I read just after coming out of hospital (probably still an out patient).
Way back in the mists of time, my first attempt at achieving a degree foundered one Christmas, when instead of returning to university I found myself in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital. Initially, I guess, I responded well to the treatment regime, which included antidepressants, and sessions of group therapy (somewhat scary: 40 or more patients, plus one or more psychiatrists, seated in a great big circle). After a few weeks, I became a day patient, but not knowing what to do next, because it wouldn't have been practical for me to resume my studies at that point.
If recollection serves me right, "Catch 22", by Joseph Heller, was a birthday present from my uncle. Reading it was devastating. Maybe I was vulnerable - under different circumstances would have taken it in my stride. I think that what it did was to blow away my whole understanding of courage, and duty. I had grown up with the bomber and fighter pilots of the RAF in World War II (not literally - but through the media of books, comics, and films). Their sacrifice had inspired me. And along comes Yossarian (am I right?), to whom the whole thing is a joke.
The funny thing is, I enjoy reading Joseph Heller. And the phrase "catch 22" is one that I use frequently ...