A Confederacy of Dunces

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Summary: A wonderful adventure in New Orleans
Review: A Confederacy of Dunces is a truly memorable book. The almost surreal experiences and adventures are experienced by the reader as well as the characters. As a resident of New Orleans, I can say for sure that this is a truly hilarious parady of life in the Big Easy.

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Summary: The funniest, most original book ever written
Review: This book was written by John Kennedy Toole in 1963, while he was in his twenties serving in the U.S. Army. It was published a decade after the author's death and won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. It is the most original, the most satirical, and the funniest book I've read. What John Kennedy Toole observed in 1963 New Orleans resonates with the U.S. thirty-five years later. The protagonist is so poignantly described that he can't be far from Toole himself. Bear with him for the first few pages and you'll be hooked on this unlovable character to the finish, where the story's perfect symmetry implodes on itself. I only wish that Toole had endured life to share his perception, wit, and writing with us for at least one more book.

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Summary: get this book
Review: This is the funniest book ever written. I don't have the words to describe it any further. Have you ever tried to tell a friend what the subject matter is? It's imp[ossible!

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Summary: Absolutely amazing
Review: It is a shame that an author of such amazing talents is not with us. Next to "Youth in Revolt", this is, without a doubt, the funniest book I have read. Be sure to read this and share it with your freiends

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Summary: Humor is personal; personally, I laughed.
Review: First of all, it's amazing that a book that won the Pulitzer Prize so many years ago is still generating heated reviews. The good news is that people are still reading. (There's no bad news.) The bottom line, however, is that humor is a very personal thing. My friends and I all read the book pretty much at the same time when it was first published. Most of us found it funny, touching, deep and beautifully written. Others of us found it disturbing and off-putting. It IS disturbing to think that perhaps Toole was writing himself into the Ignatius character. Meanwhile, I now have a 13-year-old son who chose "Dunces" as elective reading in the 8th grade and wrote a very perceptive book report. His experience with the book made me reread it (I'd already read it several times) -- and I still love it, as did he. Mostly, it challenged both of us to think, which is all I ask of any book (except for the occasional "brain candy" mystery or beach book).

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Summary: Never ever, a book like this book.
Review: "Confederacy of Dunces" is a laugh-out-loud book that will flood your eyes with tears of laughter. The main character, Ignatius J. Reilly, is like nobody else all literature. He is the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics come to life. Everything he touches turns to chaos and disorder, all the while he himself remains totally unaware and aloof and superior. The author writes with a pen that speeds even the slowest reader along, as Ignatius is a non-stop whirlwind of disarray. The author's choice of words will keep the reader turning page after page to find out whose life Ignatius has turned upside down. Anyone coming into contact with this "chaosmeister" is forever changed for the humorous worst. Once you begin the book and get into its second and third chapter, you are hooked for the entire 400 pages. The only regret you'll have while you're reading it is that the author will never write a sequel. The book demands a movie, but the character is so definively unique, who could play the role?

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Summary: More beautiful than poetry
Review: Although I have noticed several bad comments on this novel, I must retort these futile comments. I read this book while I was in a deep depression at one time and it uplifted me more than any words I could write on this commentary. Toole's ability to bring out a character with so much negativity yet establish a sense of pity for Ignatius that the novel relates so much to me and my personality. This man killed himself only to see his finest works published and furthermore win a pulitzer prize. If I everwas to die early, that is a way I would like to go out. great novel and I am thrilled it was praised as it was.

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Summary: Brilliant; it's a damn shame this man is no longer writing.
Review: I've giggled along with many a page, but few books have made me laugh out loud like this one did. Ignatius Riley was hilarious, poignant, sad, and my only question is why haven't they made this baby into a movie? Some books are untouchable, and this may be one of them.

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Summary: The epitome of comedy and tragey.
Review: This story was so many things: amusing, tragic and therapeutic. It's comical to envision such colorful characters (characters I've encountered in my own life), sad to think that we've created a society that perpetuates so much fear and negativity, and therapeutic to know that those neurotic thoughts that sometimes run through my head are shared by others.

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Summary: five stars are not enough
Review: Easily the funniest book I have ever read. If you enjoyed Tortilla Flat, Catch-22, and Dilbert, this book will make you howl. Toole's eyes were certainly open. (and closed too soon.)