Joseph Heller, an acclaimed American author, rose to literary stardom for his satirical novel "Catch-22", a groundbreaking work that turned the Vietnam War-era literary landscape inside out with its dark humor and insightful socio-political critique. Born on May 1, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York, Heller drew from his experiences as a World War II bomber pilot to construct narratives that wove together absurdist philosophy and the grim realities of war, earning him a timeless place in the annals of 20th-century American literature.
Heller’s literary journey began in the 1950s after he graduated from college and found work as an advertising copywriter. It was during this period that he wrote "Catch-22", a novel instrumental in elevating his career as an author. Heller's unique writing style—marked by non-linear narrative structures, biting wit, and characters trapped in paradoxical situations—distinguished him from his contemporaries and left an indelible mark on the literary world.
Though best known for "Catch-22", Heller's oeuvre is marked by his tremendous versatility as a writer. His subsequent works, including novels like "Something Happened" and "God Knows", as well as plays and screenplays, continued to showcase his remarkable ability to blend satire and pathos. Passionate and prolific till his demise in 1999, Joseph Heller has left behind a body of work that continues to inspire generations of writers and readers alike.