A Confederacy of Dunces

Rating:
Summary: I was flabbergasted! Brilliant, superb, and hilarious!
Review: The book was loaned to me by a friend. Once I started reading it (2 years after it was loaned to me!) I gobbled the book up, gluttonously. It was non-stop guffaws for me. Ignatius T. Reilly is a hero worth emulating. I, myself, have taken to pointing at various modern aberrations (such as television shows)and, with an imperious, arctic voice, bellowing out: "Filth! Those actors should be lashed until they drop!"

Rating:
Summary: a masterpiece of writing
Review: This must be the best novel I can remember reading The rich colourful language and humor of John Kennedy Toole will remain for many a day one of my favorite book

Rating:
Summary: A Surprise Hit
Review: A book club I once belonged to read this book a couple of years ago. To tell the truth, I was skeptical of its worth because of the person who recommended it. But I found myself reading at an incredible pace. I loved the humor, and I think that everyone can relate to the trouble in the mother/son relationship. It's a great read, but I do not recommend Toole's The Neon Bible. Anyone who loved Confederacy will be disappointed

Rating:
Summary: Top Notch!
Review: Medieval Philosophy! Contemporary Social Criticism! Non-Stop Laughs!...I've read this book three times now, and each time I burst out laughing

Rating:
Summary: Confederacy of Dunces made me laugh. . .and relate. .
Review: This book has got to be the funniest book I've ever read. From the first time I set eyes on it 16 years ago, I thought it was very deserving of every accolade it got, including - or especially - the Pulitzer. It was very tragic that this was all posthumous. I'll never understand how all those lame-balls in the publishing world had let this one slip by, not seeing the brilliance in Mr. Toole's keen insight and wisdom, and extraordinary literary talent. Fortunately, his mother persevered after the author's death, and 12 years and scores of publishers later she found Louisiana State University press. Unfortunately, we'll not get any more than this one book from Mr. Toole.

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing style of writing.
Review: Ignatius takes us on a journey through life that we can only dream of having. A wonderfully refreshing writing style that draws the reader into the character's life. Worthy of the Pulitzer prize it was awarded.

Rating:
Summary: Depraved, nasty, disgusting.... and a complete masterpiece!
Review: I'm sure 99% of the reviews here will rave about the humor of the book, so further testimonial regarding the comedic greatness of this book probably isn't necessary. What else is truly special about this book, however, is its mastery of American written english, and its portrayal of New Orleans spoken accents of the early sixties. As you read the book, you can hear the people speak and see the city in perfect, rich, and colorful detail. Perhaps the best part is Toole's absolute ability to describe situations, objects, and people with perhaps the richest, most creative use of simile I have have ever seen from an American writer. It's a shame that much of the language and subsequent humor will be lost to those who aren't American (although I believe quirky Brits will cry with laughter when they read this). I am on to my second reading of the book, and the second time through is even better than the first. And each chapter, paragraph, sentence, and word is so complete, I can set the book down for a month and come back to it, and it seems as if I had just finished reading the previous chapter yesterday. And of course I'm laughing all the while. And the best part of it all? The ending will not dissapoint the reader. I half expected this book to end weakly, but it doesn't. I will never forget this book, and most people I know feel the same way. Too bad Toole killed himself. Genious gone before it was even discovered, truly tragic. But in reading the book, this fact only leads the reader to appreciate and be thankful that something of Toole was left for us to enjoy and admire. I can only imagine that he must have been an incredibly amazing individual, and funny as hell! Read it, this is a must for anyone, casual or avid reader.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This book has got a real good flow about it. Some books seem so drawn out, it is a chore (like Walden; the idea was good, but who cares how deep the pond was?), but this book was really good. Second only to "The Power of One" by Bryce Courtenay. And Ul de Rico's "The Rainbow Goblins". And S. King's "Eye of the Dragon"... It is really funny.

Rating:
Summary: A genious of a book
Review: "Dunces" would be like if Mark Twain had written "Huckleberry Finn" and then killed himself. America lost one it's greatest writers after only one book

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: It is quite rare to find a book which can make you laugh out loud. You have just stumbled upon one that will do this to you every time you read it. Ignatious Reilly is one of the most dynamically pathetic characters in all of fiction. Take your time and immerse yourself in this rich story filled with some of the most memorable characters and scenery. We all have Mrs. Toole to thank for bringing this work to the world. I am just sorry that this is our only encounter with Ignatious. If you enjoyed Ignatious as much as I did, then you are ready for Arturo Bandini- take a chance on The Road to Los Angeles by John Fante. (read the amazon.com review