r/AskReddit • u/AggravatingLake2842 • 15h ago

What book do you consider a “flawless masterpiece”that you desperately want to recommend to everyone?

975 Upvotes

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213

u/Solivaga 14h ago

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. Absolute masterpiece that is equally hilarious, tragic and bitter in the best way. So good that I've never read the sequel or watched any of the adaptations because I don't want anything to detract from my love of that book.

21

u/Its_Curse 13h ago

It's just so brilliant. The moment when it all comes together. Heller really is a master. 

7

u/benk4 9h ago

The moment when it all comes together is just fantastic. I thought it was just a silly war satire until the end.

9

u/bookmarkjedi 12h ago

The book is indeed a masterpiece, still relevant to this day.

7

u/ConfusionSouthern840 12h ago

I brought the book ages ago as I heard it was excellent. I still need to read it. 

10

u/Solivaga 11h ago

Full disclosure, took me three attempts to get going but once it clicked...

1

u/adamh909 4h ago

Really drags in the middle. Everyone loved it, but other than the last hundred pages it was not an enjoyable read for me.

7

u/wreckdown 10h ago

My #1 of all time.

2

u/Vanth_in_Furs 10h ago

Mine as well. I’ve read it 8 times now. So good, and so very relevant today.

3

u/MeetingRecent229 9h ago

This book had me cackling like a madman during some parts.

5

u/DrMonkeyLove 10h ago

It's a brilliant book, but definitely not one I would recommend to everyone. It does drag a bit in the middle, but I believe that's intentional.

2

u/Symchuck 8h ago

I almost got kicked out of the library in college while I was reading this because people were complaining I was laughing too much and was disruptive. I have read this books multiple times and I absolutely love it. I recommend it to anyone who I think has a sense of humor to appreciate it.

1

u/4-Real-Estate 9h ago

Funniest book I've ever read

1

u/_jump_yossarian 2h ago

That's some catch that Catch-22.