What was the initial critical reception of catch 22?

Answer 1

In general a (catch 22) is when whether you do something or not you won't get a favorable outcome.

Initial meaning first would logically just mean that this is the "oh my" moment of understanding that you're about to have a bad moment regardless your next action. Bring a hanky!

Answer 2

Initial critical reception of "Catch-22" was mixed. Some critics praised it for its unique narrative style, dark humor, and satirical take on war and bureaucracy, while others found it confusing and overly complex. Over time, the novel gained widespread acclaim and is now considered a classic of American literature.