A Confederacy of Dunces

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Summary: Funny, sad vision of a money-hungry world and its dissenters
Review: I just finished teaching this book to a freshman English class (college), and saw many things I never saw before. I've always seen it as hilarious, absurd and have laughed out loud each time I've read it. But this time I began with the quote from Swift in the beginning, about a man of genius appearing and the dunces being in confederation against him, seeing how Ignatius is the genius, and seeing that it's because only he (and Myrna) recognize that their society is a tawdry one based on money and the business world. He chooses to secede, and isn't allowed, so his selfish obnoxiousness actually seems like an heroic act in a world that won't understand his need to be different. Even his mother, an object of sympathy, is to blame, and she become the leader of the forces against him. A great book, one that gives something new on each reading.

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Summary: A Great Book
Review: It has been about ten years since I read the book and upon my first visit to New Orleans I was thrilled to see the copper statue of Ignatius J. Riley on Canal Street. All the great memories from the book came back and I have started reading it for the second time. One of the better books I have ever read.

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Summary: Outstanding
Review: Arguably one of the great books, and certainly one of the funniest. Highly recommended, but with one caveat: The lesbian assault in the prison cell struck me as gratuitous, mean-spirited and singularly un-funny -- it just didn't fit in with the book's tone. I wonder if anyone agrees with me?

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Summary: The BEST, Jerry, the BEST!!!
Review: I've read this book 6 times, including out loud once for a friend. I need this book on tape!!

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Summary: One can not put this book down
Review: A Confederacy of Dunces, with the exemption of the Hitchikers guide to the Galaxy, is simply the funniest book i have ever read. Toole details his characters right down to the last neurosis. The characters that revolve around the life of Ignatius J. Reily will be embeded in my mind for ever. this is a must read!!!!!!

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Summary: What a Novel Strives to Be
Review: If only John Kennedy Toole was alive.... He might very well be a contemporary of Garrison Keillor, or a latter-day PG Wodehouse. Such is the brilliance of this book. It is exactly what a novel should be, allowing you to laugh and ponder within a few moments' time. I am left to wonder what sort of book the detractors of this work would amuse themselves with. As for me, I think I'll give this one a second read instead.

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Summary: Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Review: Truly a great book. I have lately begun insisting that my friends read the book, and as an inducement I offer them the following guarantee: "If this is not one of the ten best books you've ever read, I'll refund your purchase price and buy you another novel of your choice." So far about twenty friends / co-workers have given in to my proselytizing and I haven't had to pay up once. Need I say more? Well...I can't resist saying just one thing more: Read the reviews below, then read the book, then re-read the reviews. You will feel a kniship whth the vast majority of readers who rate the book a 9 or 10, but will be astonished and confused that there are a few simpletons who rate the book a 2 or 3. Then, like a flash, you will remember the book's title, your confusion will disappear, and you'll realize that there will always be reviewers who give truly great books 2s and 3s. After all, we're surrounded by a confederacy of dunces.

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Summary: damn fine book
Review: the importance of one's pyloric valve in conjunction with the theology and geometry of life has never been so well defined as in this fine literary masterpiece. GOD rest his soul!!

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Summary: "Spirit of New Orleans"
Review: Experiencing 'N'awlins during Mardi Gras is secondary to reliving the experience of Confederacy of Dunces in its natural setting. Having just done both, I have to say I was more in awe of the latter. For years, this book has been the favorite of myself and my brother's. My brother passes it out like the Gideons do the Gospel. We have spent many hours wishing a movie would be made of the book. Many more hours have been spent casting it in our imaginations. Unfortunately, several "Ignatious'(Ignatii?)" have passed on. I had heard at one time Divine, John Belushi, then John Candy... (our choice?----John Goodman-hey, John, you married a local girl...). But, really, all you have to do is visit the phenonenom that is New Orleans and you will encounter many of the characters, living everyday lives! If you didn't like the book-you have not experienced New Orleans. I promise you. I have lived in many regions of the U.S.; but, New Orleans, is unlike any other city I've ever visited. From the accents of the Creole to the 'Back-O-town' jive; from the beignets to the pralines; from the "has-been" stripper playing 'Off Bourbon', to the female impersonator playing 'On Bourbon': every lifestyle, every custom is exhibited in full form and co-exists in this book; as in the city. It hurts me that the author did not get the recognition he deserved. He ranks up there with Somerset Maupin, Dave Barry, Lewis Grizzard, Garrison Keillor; to name a few authors famous for their regional accuity. This author had a pulse on the "heart" of N'Awlins...it's up to us who love this book to make the beat go on....

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Summary: UNFORGETTABLE!
Review: I took it to the beach back in the early 80s and laughed out loud twice on the first page. My stomach ached from laughter. I can still smell those hot dogs Ignatius sold from his cart. The book is a complete trip and the true life story of the author's end makes the trip even stranger. This is book is a keeper. I recommend it to anyone with a healthy sense of humour.