Rating: Summary: Ahead Of Its Time Review: If you ever watch The Simpsons, Ignatius P. Reilly is a lot like the Comic Book Shop Guy, and I think they are both hilarious. This is a book everyone should read. I know a several people who are a lot like Reilly, which makes the book both funny and depressing; realistic and absurd. A literary classic because it encapsulates our American Society into a story. Amazingly enough, it is more relavent now than it was then. Some people would say that it has been overrated which might be slightly true, but the bottom line is it is a damn fine novel and a classic. It deserves at least one read.
Rating: Summary: "Snowball" Review: For me this novel was all about momentum. It started out rough, but then picked up until by the end I wanted more. Think Toole found his stride about a third of the way through. The ending left me feeling like if he wouldn't have committed suicide, we'd certainly have gotten to see more of Ignatius & "that minx" as a mismatched frenetic (as opposed to 'dynamic') duo. A-
Rating: Summary: Eyebrows raise, mouths drop open, laughter follows... Review: I don't know why it took me thirty years to pick up this book and read it...but wow! I'm glad I did. Ignatius J. Reilly is arrogant, smelly and wickedly hilarious! His distaste in everything and everyone cracks me up. So many times during the read I was baffled yet thoroughly entertained by this character and all of his misadventures. I laughed out loud many times reading this book. It's too bad the author never lived to see it win a Pulitzer...but for some reason, I think that he may have scoffed at the idea anyway.
Rating: Summary: A Book to Make You Laugh Out Loud Review: Simply put, this is a very funny book. I rarely laugh out loud when the joke is auditory or even visual, but this book just killed me. So, buy it already. Or borrow it from a friend. Or from the library. Just read it. Now.
Rating: Summary: All-around great, funny book Review: A Confederacy of Dunces is chock-full of unforgettable and unique characters, especially its "hero" - Ignatius J. Reilly, an obese, egotistical, self-proclaimed authority on EVERYTHING. He has a knack for failing at whatever he does; in many ways he's an almost grown-up Charlie Brown (without all of Charlie's good points). His misadventures are downright hilarious, as are those of the other characters. The plot isn't terribly complicated, but pay attention, because even seemingly insignificant encounters ultimately play a larger role in the novel. In my opinion, this book truly deserved the Pulitzer Prize and I highly recommend it; John Kennedy Toole was able to not only bring the characters to life but also give the reader an idea of what life is like in vibrant New Orleans. However, this is not a book for the easily offended because it is definitely not politically correct.
Rating: Summary: A wonderful read, a real page turner Review: This book came to my by way of my sister who hates to read, but said that it was really funny. In this case, she was right. It was a hilarious book, with unlikely characters. I wish there were more books like it.
Rating: Summary: Outstanding Review: To be honest, I had never even heard of this book. I bought it at B and N's because it was on sale, and the first few pages were interesting enough. Fate, she was kind that day. :) It's one of the most engaging books I've ever read. Hilarious and tangible. It also uses a vocabulary that would be easy reading for a 9th grader. If you're a night reader like me, be prepared to stay up late! You won't want to stop reading!
Rating: Summary: Rare combination of comedy and great literature Review: The story is well-known that John Kennedy O'Toole killed himself before he and his wonderful book could be discovered thanks to the insistent efforts of his mother. What is less well-known is just how enjoyable reading this book is. Ignatius O'Reilly is one of the finest, most amusing characters ever to walk through the pages of a book. Once you meet him, he'll occupy a permanent little corner in your mind and you'll laugh every time you remember.
Rating: Summary: Brilliant or Trash? Review: A couple of chapters into Confederacy, I was unsure if the book was pure genius or complete trash. Ignatius Reilly is so incredibly irritating. Imagine George Costanza, only several times more intelligent, political, fatter and self-absorbed. And much less likeable.Even half way through, I wasn't sure if I loved it or hated it - probably both. I'm not sure why I kept reading. Schadenfreude is the most likely reason - it's almost like watching a really bad accident in progress. In the end though, I thought it was brilliant, although I can understand those who hate it - there's a very fine line with this kind of work. It's a biting, dark satire, not funny in a laugh out loud kind of way (though there are a couple of moments,) but in an ironic, wicked way. New Orleans and the characters that inhabit its streets are wonderfully rendered, providing a great backdrop and foil for Ignatius. Pick up this book and keep at it - it's worth it, even if you hate it in the end.
Rating: Summary: My own private stress-buster Review: This is an amazing book-- for the way it was published as well as the content. The first copy I bought ( Inow have at least 3) is nearly worn out because I kept it in my desk drawer when I was working, and when I got too stressed out, I'd just grab good ole Ignatius and very soon, the stress was all gone. There's nothing like an evening at the Night of Joy Bar to alleviate stress! My only regret is that the dumb old publishing powers that were in his day didn't latch onto this masterpiece so that Toole would still be with us. I wish I knew what happened in that car on the way to New York!
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