A Confederacy of Dunces

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Summary: Funny first, and tragically, only effort
Review: To bad John Kennedy Toole died before publishing. His mother had to convince the publisher to read the manuscript upon finding it after his death. A great read, I always wondered if it was somewhat autobiographical considering he never attempted to have it published himself.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I didnt't give this book a ten because I'm holding out for that one spectacular book. I'll know it when I read it. Anyway, this book is one that you simply must read several times in order to get all the humor. Some you don't catch the first time around. I highly recommend it for vacations or plane trips. It may be tough at first, but I promise you that it's worth it. Enjoy!

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Summary: Just a sad tale of an equally sad boob!
Review: I had a hard time getting through this book, but I read it. Did not see the humor in making fun of such a sad character.

Rating:
Summary: This is rather fine.
Review: I don't give out tens for any but the best. This is my favorite novel. Toole is not a polished or fully mature author; the writing is uneven, and some scenes drag, especially those involving Levy and his cliched harridan of a wife. That said, I will add my voice to the cacophany of delirious fans. Brilliant, the work of a visionary. A seething, poignant book that captures the tragedy as well as the comedy of urban life. If there was some voudou ritual that would bring Toole back for the sequel I'd volunteer myself as a sacrifice. Scintillating dialects and dialogues, a dozen determinedly interwoven subplots, and of course Ignatius J Reilly himself, the hero whose (disappointingly trim) statue graces present-day Canal St. in New Orleans. This book is a nucular bum.

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Summary: A book that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Review: I had not thought of "Dunces" until, while surfing the net, I came across the reviews. Most of the reviews, of course, are positive and I agree with every word I have read. I can understand why some would not appreciate the humor, but not to the point of hating the book. Someone said it better than I, but from the moment I finished it I was angry with the author for comitting suicide. How selfish of him to deprive us of his wonderful imagination -- forever.

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Summary: Look at how many wish to review this work
Review: Surely many find this text amusing and sad.The images and delights of New Orleans pop out at every reader. If you haven't read this one, DO. It's not one to miss...

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Summary: Will read for a fourth time
Review: I rarely return to a book I've finished. This is worth a re-read because of the detail and the incredible humor. It helps to know the New Orleans dialect and mindset while reading it. A wonderful book.

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Summary: Never purchase a Dove Audio product.
Review: I have read this book no less than 7 times. I have seen the play and I anxiously await the making of the movie. I have been a big fan of books-on-tape for a long time. However, Dove Audio needs to get out of the business. Whoever wrote or edited this audio book for Dove should stay with Dove because I no longer purchase their publications - I avoid them like the plague. Reader is very important. It is hard to match F. Murray Abraham, Tony Roberts or Judith Ivey as quality readers, which is clearly demonstrated by Dove who employs the likes of Arte Johnson and Roddy McDowall (Batman). Dove may as well retain Danny Sugerman (No One Here Gets Out Alive) or Stephen King (several bad readings) as readers. All in All, A Confederacy of Dunces on tape was a HUGE disappointment. I had to go back and re-read the book to ease my suffering after listening to this Dove Audio product. HMB

Rating:
Summary: hooey!
Review: All you ranting people chanting "TEN!!!" must have read a different book than I did. I guess I just had a hard time laughing at a fat person and his drunk mother. This book made me incredibly uncomfortable. I am not surprised it won the Prize, the story about the death of the author even won me over before I was mired down in the dull goings on in the actual book. Toilet humor? You could call it that. But not very GOOD toilet humor. I will watch the South Park kids if I want fart jokes.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing book! A great read for almost all ages.
Review: A Confederacy of Dunces- what an interesting name! By Robert Kennedy Toole, this book tells of an extremely smart, elefantile man named Ignatius Reilly and his adventures through the city of New Orleans. It has cops, crashes, and thugs. Ignatius has to go to work for the first time in his life, and is totally unprepared for office work or hotdog selling. His mother doesn't think too, too much of him and plans to get married- it doesn't help that she keeps cheap wine bottles stashed away in her rickety old oven. Finally, she realizes that a whining slob like Ignatius needs some help, so she decides to send him to a -beep-, but a friend of his comes to help, so he gets away to -beep- A great read!! Reviewed by: Codename Wine264, age 12