Rating: 
Summary: Have you peed recently? Better before you read this one!
Review: A true gut-buster. I laughed outloud through most of its pages, called friends on the phone to recite the funniest parts and have read it twice. The second time I broke down and bought it (I read mostly library books). Get it in hardback so it'll keep its shape after so many readings, and so many passing-along to friends and family.
Rating:
Summary: A review of A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES
Review: I am on my sixth pleasurable reading of this novel, and I still often refrain from reading it in public. I am still moved to hysterical laughter by much of the comedy in the book, and I am amazed at how timely the book remains even now in its 35th year, to our knowledge, of existence. I did my master's thesis on the sociolinguistic aspects of the novel. My thesis was, and remains six years later, that the more standard the speech of the character, the more non-standard, unorthodox, and downright crazy that character is. Ignatius himself is a grand example of just such a paradox, and Myrna (that saucy minx) is not far behind. Meanwhile, Irene, Santa, and Angelo, with their Gulf Southern Gulf Central dialect, are the "salt of the earth," who are not very smart, but are as good and genuine as any positive person you could hope to meet. And then there is Jones, whose Ebonics dialect is amazingly well captured by Toole. He is the character who, though with some flaws, makes a vital connection between the presence of Ignatius Jacques Reilly and real trouble. I love this book and I will always consider it my favorite novel because it is so lively that the characters quickly become old friends to you. I appreciate the plot twists and levels, and I am intrigued by the delicate mixture of the hilarious with the profane, the disgusting items with the episodes of genuinely sensitive moments. I am always amazed at Toole's awesome ability to mix various members of society as it was in New Orleans and have them come alive as non-stereotypical, believable, if artsy, characters. I will always regret that the circumstances of John Kennedy Toole's writing life did not work positively and happily for him in his lifetime. Still I am grateful to Thelma Toole for her persistence in getting the novel published.
Rating:
Summary: 101 Ways to Un-Clog Your Valve
Review: "A perfect 10? Really?" you ask. How could it not be? Look out really carefully when reading this book people! Even British comedy pales in comparison, with its intellectual humor and down-right-knee-slapping-clog-your-valve humor.
I must say that Jones is the most original character (and honest I must say) that I have seen in a while. From Jones' slander to his own culture to his constant fear of vagrancy, he entertains you until your face turns blue! And then comes Officer Mancuso -- what a turn of events! An officer that must go undercover in some of the zaniest outfits! Undercover? I think not. And oh, loe and behold, in walks Ignatius J. Reilly...Ooo-wee! An overgrown kid/adult that still lives with his ever-loving mother. Some of the situations that boy/man gets himself into, and good Lord! how he gets himself out! This one is a must read people!
Go out and find yourself a copy today, sit down, and get ready to laugh in a way that you've never laughed before! (and a small note to all you Ignatius fans...Don't be a Mongoloid!)
Rating:
Summary: Confederacy of Dunces
Review: The most hilarious novel written this century! I don't want to spend too much time explaining to disbelievers, but if you have a love for literature and characters that really stand apart from the rest, there is nothing quite like this read. Ignatius Reilly is an original delight. Please, please, PLEASE, do not miss this treasure.
Rating:
Summary: Unusual and unforgettable
Review: The beauty of this book is not the self-delusional bombast of Ignatius O'Reilly, although the bombast is pure hilarity. The beauty is in the language and the imagery. American English hasn't been used so artfully in a century or so; it is flowery, floriferous, and florid. The imagery is so deceptive in its simplicity, one is amazed the technique isn't commonplace. Toole describes scenes as we would see them but would be unable to describe adequately. Finally, Toole presents a character (characters, actually) we know in others and in ourselves - in part, if not in sum. I borrowed this book, but I am buying my own copy. This is one of the rare books that demands rereading.
Rating:
Summary: Most true - the funniest book I know.
Review: This book refers to man's real problem: the digestive system. You can't have fun or feel good in any way if your valve is blocked. And it will certainly do so if you (have to) work too hard. Don't work - Shit - Life can be easy! Tough, that the author had to die for the publication of his opinion - but so had other heros and heroines in history.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful. Wonderous. And damn funny.
Review: When is the last time a book made you laugh out loud? Has one ever? Don't read this on a train, plane, or bus, unless you don't mind people looking at you, startled and suspicious, as you snigger and snort all by your lonesome. A truly amazing work. And the tragedy. Oh! The tragedy! We should weep for the loss of John Kennedy Toole
Rating:
Summary: "Oooh-Wee!"
Review: The funniest book, by far, that I have ever read. Mr Toole's genius runs rampant through every page.
Ignatius, mother with her wine in the oven, Jones
in a cloud of smoke working for minimal wage, Mancusco
sniffing and dripping in public toilets, and all the rest of these magical characters are a gift to humanity. Each time I read it, it gets better. The tragedy of Mr Toole's personal story is almost offset by the
scope of this brilliant work. I often give thanks
to Mrs. Toole for not giving up, and finally being
able to share her son's gift with the rest of us.
Rating:
Summary: Sense of humor, anyone?
Review: "Am I to believe that I am witnessing such a profusion of lethargic, inconsequential souls who feel as though the humor of this monumental novel is non-existent?"
Like Ignatius J. Reilly standing in front of the D.H. Holmes on Canal wearing a green cap, plaid shirt, and tweed trousers, some people just insist on being different. If you found this a dull, lifeless novel, you ARE different...and just plain weird! Perhaps a visit to your nearest "sense of humor" outlet store wouldn't be a bad idea.
This was probably the funniest novel a have read in my entire life. If I could have, I would have given it an eleven!
Rating:
Summary: A book you can taste, smell and especially hear...
Review: It grabs all your senses.I can still smell and almost taste Ignatius' boiling hot dogs and hear the nauseating squeek of his bedsprings. Toole sucked me fully into Ignatius' simultaneously funny, creepy and tragic life. I would follow Ignatius and his hot dog cart anywhere
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