A Confederacy of Dunces

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Summary: When You Hear Others Read and Laugh Out Loud
Review: Our oldest son was reading this book and laughing out loud. He shared passages with his brothers and they both would laugh out loud as they read. Therefore, I couldn't resist reading "A Confederacy of Dunces" for myself and could't be more pleased for having done so. Ignatias J. Reilley is larger than life and funnier than any character, real or fictional, you will ever run across. His "world view of life" and his physical problems with his "valve" cause him to write his "journal" as well as his letters with a style never before seen or dreamed of by any author.This is a DON"T MISS IT book if ever one existed--but be prepared to laugh out loud while you read even if you don't think you will. Read, Laugh, Enjoy and SHARE this masterpiece with everyone who hasn't read it

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Summary: One of the top ten comedic novels in the English language
Review: Bought this book sight unseen from QPB a few years ago and was absolutely amazed, as was the professor quoted in the foreword, at its high quality. As the first person to publish Emily Dickinson's poems must have felt, surely no writer this good could possibly have gone unpublished! I have read thousands of novels over the years and maintained my own personal reviews and ratings. My highest rating, five stars, is reserved for true classics that reward unlimited re-readings. Very few books receive that accolade. This is one. "Dunces" is one of the funniest books ever published in the English language, tragicomic in the Rabelaisan, Cervantes sense of the word, but also falling-down-on-the-floor hilarious. Laughed 'til the tears came, and then I couldn't stop weeping. Couldn't stop turning pages, just to see what could possibly happen next. It is tempting to regret Toole's death, and to wonder if perhaps he would have produced more works of this caliber. In great art, though, quantity seldom equals quality. Toole was a shooting star who captured in "Dunces" his bittersweet understanding of the human condition for the edification of all future generations.

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Summary: Easily the best book I've ever read!
Review: John Kennedy Toole's work left me laughing so hard I was gasping for air. The life of Ignatius truly allows the reader to glimpse the worlds of those millions of people who barely hang on by clinging to the fringes of society. This book is a masterpiece and should be read by everyone, including Bob Dole

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Summary: A classic of the 20th century
Review: One of the best books written in the 20th century, or any other century for that matter. READ THIS BOOK. It is one of the saddest books, and one of the funniest books that I have ever read...if you read only one book this year, make it A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES.

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Summary: A read well worth the time.
Review: Every once in a while you happen upon a book by chance, only to discover later that here, in your hands, is a work worth more than you paid. A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES is such a work.

Through A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES, John Kennedy Toole has created one of the greatest tragic anti-heroes of our time. Ignatious J. Reilly is a character among characters, a beomouth of a man, a wit and a fibber beyond all, the original slacker - one whose curious logic and outlook on the world can only be compared to Don Quiote. Having graduated from college, Ignatious' main goal is to live out his life in his tiny bedroom, away from society, writing passage after passage of brilliant verse for the very audience whose company he rejects. Ignatious despises all things, believing that the American Culture is thoroughly lacking in "theology and geometry" and that nothing short of a good lashing will save many a soul.

A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES takes place a short time ago in the outskirts of New Orleans, where the city's true character is hidden from our tourist eyes, and yet the New Orleans of Toole could easily be Brooklyn or Los Angeles or Boston. In fact Toole's world is an utterly American experience, with accents and characters that spring to life and echo in your mind as the words flow beneath your eyes. Here we are presented with a literary "Green Acres." And though the book introduces you to an assortment of individuals, Toole's mastery of dialogue keeps each one fresh in your mind, without the confusion or blandishment that other authors might show. Each character is just that, and no two could ever be confused. Along with Ignatious J. Reilly, we are presented with

- Mrs. Reilly, a souse of a mother whose voice and patter will resonate in your mind

- Officer Mancuso, a patrolman who is the embodiment of the Sad-Sackian cop

- Jones, a self made victim of sorts whose wit and comebacks kept me laughing out loud

- Myrna Minkoff, Ignatious' pseudo-ex-girlfriend and an activist who believes that through sex all problems can be solved

And yet with these and many more characters, it is the voice and the soul of Igatious who dominates this work. Reading it is to join him and his cast in one ill-begotten adventure after another.

The novel begins with Igatious waiting for the return of his mother, who has set off to buy the very item which he needs the least of - cake. Officer Mancuso happens upon Igatious, and based on Igatious' sloven, beomouth appearance, he decides to question Ignatious, with the possible intent of arresting him, for officer Mancuso has been assigned the very demanding task of arresting any suspicious "characters" he might find. It is with this pretext that we begin a journey into what I can only describe as an immensely enjoyable read.

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Summary: If no smile while reading this book, you must be dead!
Review: My brother, whose library generally begins and ends with accounting, medical journals, and organic gardening tomes, recommended this book to me. Reluctantly, I read it as he kept asking me if I had. AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE. Which goes to prove that truly great books transcend all things -- even the abyss between a liberal arts major and a CPA/physician/farmer! I laughed aloud countless times. It is a shame that the author did not live to see his success, but somewhere I know he has the angels in stitches

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Summary: A Confederacy of Dunces waves a unique flag...
Review: Too bad Kennedy is no longer among the living, because he'd still be a hit on Nightline! The leader of this confederacy lives out the dark side of the mind of most baby boomers... those of us who wave a "Pre-generation-X" flag. If you read this book and don't smell the sex and used liquor and diesel fuel from the passing ships and the pastries and sea food in the air of New Orleans, you must forget the stuff you learned from Evelyn Woods. Savor this again now that the images have fermented for a decade and a half.

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Summary: This is a book that will make you smile.
Review: Of all the novels I have read, I consider John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces to be one of the best (and certainly the funniest). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, laughing myself silly at times throughout this zany story. The situations that Ignatius put himself (and others) in were classic and unpredictable. In my opinion, it's very easy to understand why this novel won a Pulitzer Prize. The character descriptions were brilliant; I could picture someone I knew for every character in the story. Toole's prose made me feel as if I were standing next to Ignatius during his adventures, and I could almost feel the frustration and anger of those who became his "victims." Every character's appearance and personality was described in specific details, as well as the surrounding scenery. The humor used was ingenious, both in content and timing, even at the risk of being stereotypical. My favorite part of the story came when Ignatius forged the letter to Abelman's Dry Goods. I think it reminded me of that mischievous side of myself, and perhaps suggesting that I myself might do such an act. The contents of the letter was enough to keep me laughing , but then I imagined the look on the faces of Abelman, Levy, and Gonzalez upon reading this letter themselves, and that fueled the fire! Yes, it can be said that I got carried away with this book. On the negative side of the book, I thought that some of the letters written by Ignatius were alittle long winded and not relevant to the story. Perhaps Toole thought it was important to reinforce this character's mind set to the reader. However, it seemed to me that this was accomplished by the colorful description of behavior throughout the story. In addition, I think that it's safe to say that in this day and age of being "politically correct," this novel probably wouldn't currently win a Pulitzer. I base that on some of the stereotypical character and language depiction, especially with Jones. This novel was placed at a time when racial segregation was still prevalent (which probably explains why it wasn't an issue to the Pulitzer committee). However, even if a current author made a racial degrading reference to a character set during that period, it probably would not acceptable to the current standards. I really enjoyed taking this adventure with Ignatius. I feel the story was well written, painting a vivid picture in my mind about who exactly we (as the reader) were dealing with. I only wish the ending had turned out with more substance. I felt myself wondering how Ignatius was going to get out of the forgery mess, or if his mother was going to marry Claude, or even if Levy Shorts would be successful. Ironically, I feel this way about Toole himself. It disappoints me that an author with such a gift for writing, would tragically ends his life at such a young age. This inspired me to do some research (see attached), but information on him was very scarce. The biggest tragedy of all (I think), is that we will never enjoy any new works from this talented artist, nor will we know where Ignatius is today. However, this doesn't stop me from keeping a sharp lookout for a large goofy-looking guy, wearing a green hunting cap.

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Summary: A Confederacy of Dunces is a fun romp through the absurd.
Review: This book certainly is not for everyone. However, if you like absurd characters who act absurdly in absurd situations AND you like to read about them in accounts that are full of sometimes twisted but always hysterical humor, then this may be the book for you. Join Ignatius, his mother, and a troupe of other strange folks and learn about stomach valves, philosophy, and the meaning of life. This book is a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the absurd.

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Summary: I didn't want it to end.
Review: I've already worn out a copy of this book, and I'm writing this review as I prepare to purchase another copy. Don't let this book pass you by! If you have even the slightest sense of humor, you'll be disappointed when the end finally comes. However, Ignatius will make you laugh out loud several times before the end finally comes. See how long it takes you to wear out your first copy... Enjoy!