A Confederacy of Dunces

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

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Summary: So maybe education isn't all it's cracked up to be...
Review: ...after all, as Ignatious Reilly proves in A Confederacy of Dunces, 10 years of college, a vocabulary that won't quit, and a roomful of Big Chief tablets filled with political treatises doesn't mean you're smart. In Ignatious's case, it just means he's really cynical. And hateful. If this book weren't so damn funny, it would be awfully hard to spend 300+ pages with Ignatious Reilly. One of the most spoiled, self-centered, lazy, and lunatic characters you'll ever meet, Ignatious has an audacity--like a Don Rickles insult--that makes you laugh in spite of whatever good manners you thought you had. Surrounded by a cast of supporting characters, who are equally as repulsive in their own way, Ignatious takes you on a journey through the absurd. By the time it's over, though, you have to admit that you wouldn't mind spending some more time on this road.

Rating:
Summary: A rare blend of hillarious comedy and social insight
Review: I'm more amazed by the book with each new time I read it. Toole has captured the city of New Orleans and its subcultures like no one I've ever seen. This results in some of the funniest reading I've ever seen, being very thought-provoking at the same time. I don't think you can go wrong reading this book

Rating:
Summary: Where's the humor?
Review: I kept waitin for this book to become funny, interesting or even mildly amusing. I realized that it was a story written for people with very undeveloped funny bones. It was a chore reading this book even though I was on a six hour train ride

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of Laughter
Review: In a lifetime of reading, there is no book I have ever read that has made me laugh out loud more than this book. I have now read it at least 4 times, and each time I not only laugh at the parts which set me off in earlier readings, but I find new sections which bring new smiles, grins and outright belly laughs. Why is there no movie of this book? Is it because John Belushi is dead

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: Ignatius Reilly, the obese and borrish man arounf whom A Confederacy of Dunces revolves, is a truly unforgettable character in fiction...as unforgettable as anything Shakespeare or Dickens came up with. His flowery language and condescending nature are so outlandish and hilarious that I actually was sad to finish the book. He is so real by the end of the book that you expect to meet him when you go to New Orleans. Truly a classic

Rating:
Summary: I laughed out loud until it hurt!
Review: The funniest book I have ever read. It says a lot about a book when you can be reading it alone and laugh so hard your side hurts. A wonderful book