Closing Time

At times hilarious, at times thought-provoking, at times rambling, CLOSING TIME is the sequel to CATCH-22. Unlike its predecessor, the new title is unlikely to achieve classic status. Regardless, fans who appreciate Heller's satiric wit will enjoy this novel, in which Milo Minderbinder and his comrades confront their mortality. In addition, Minderbinder and friends try to assist a friend whom the government wants to turn into an atomic bomb because he is retaining heavy water. Fortunately, George Guidall lends his considerable skills to the recording. While a lesser narrator might lose focus during the book's more turgid moments, Guidall proves again that a great narrator can make almost any material exceptional. He relishes Heller's wit and presents the material with a wry style that meshes beautifully with this bizarre story and its unusual cast of characters. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

This surreal comic sequel to Heller's classic Catch 22, provides a glimpse into the lives of those characters some fifty years after WWII. Just as the earlier novel protested the absurdities of war, the sequel satirizes the myths and realities of our time. Kramer's vocal characterizations contribute significantly as the story shifts from one point of view to another. The presentation masterfully enhances the text and superbly captures the voice of the author. Certain passages are so well performed that repeated listening is likely. The novel's suitability for audio is exceptional. J.L.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

In Heller's sequel to Catch-22 the characters who faced the insanities of WWII, Yossarian, Milo Minder-binder, the chaplain and Sammy Singer, are in the present, facing yet another crazy world. Elliott Gould's reading, brimming with irony and fun, matches Heller's unique sense of humor. At some points, however, it's hard to differentiate between one character and another. Any sense of lengthiness is due to the convolutions of plot and character, not to Gould's performance. A.A.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine