Book Reviews of A Confederacy of Dunces

One of the funniest, most inventive, outrageous, creative books I've ever read. This novel has the unique distinction of having a character that is despicable and loveable at the same time. If you don't believe that's possible, read this book and you'll know what I mean.

Now everytime I want to get out of doing work, I jokingly complain about a "valve" in my heart. But only a character as visionary and charismatic as Ignatius could actually pull that one off.

This wildly inventive and amusing novel features one of the most unforgettable characters in modern fiction: Ignatius Reilly. He's a mammoth misfit Medievalist hilariously at odds with the world of the twentieth century, and his adventures take him to 'way down, to New Orleans' lower depths.

The first part of this book was a tough read - Ignatius J Reilly is probably the most unlikeable protagonist I've ever read, and the cast of supporting characters aren't much more likeable either. The ending that pulls everything together is fantastic though.

I read and re-read this book every few months and I always discover somthing new to laugh about. The most wonderfully eccentric characters I have ever come across. It pains me that the author took his own life and has deprived us of more of his brilliant work.

The only criterion I can think of that would let this book qualify for a Pulitzer is "so obscurely written that it must be good" This is an Emperor's New Clothes kind of book. There's nothing good it in, it's hard to read, and it doesn't seem to have a point. The main character is disgusting, lazy, and pathetic (and not in a good way!) There are very few books I don't enjoy, but this is one of the worst I've ever read. The only thing I liked was the clever turn of phrase for the title.

Funny and smart. The protagonist is hard to like at first, but he grew on me.
He is a character that is hard to forget ("My valve!").

Overall it is a good story with quirky characters.

The book was published posthumously by the author's mother. Toole never got anything published during his life and committed suicide. It's unfortunate. I would like to have seen what other stories he would have written. Sorry to bum you out with my depressive, fun-fact.

An outlandish, hilarious novel made more bittersweet knowing the author committed suicide. After his death, his mother found this ms. and Toole's one and only gift to the world was published.

Set in New Orleans, our unlikely hero is an overweight, spoiled brat, living at home with mom - in his 30s. He imagines himself superior to everyone in the known universe, therefore, cannot besmirch his integrity by getting a mere job. He spends his days eating and thinking and eating until his mother gets fed up. "Get a job!"

He travels through a cosmos of vivid characters, garish drag queens, and hot dog vendors, in a bumbling and half-hearted job search.

This book is damned funny. Every time I read it, I laugh out loud. And I grieve that a such a gifted writer was filled with so much sorrow that before he found acclaim, his sadness spilled over.

You won't find this book on my shelf. Im'a keepin' it and gonna read it again.

Ahhh.. what an awful book! There was absolutely no feeling or interesting things. I felt like I recieved nothing from this book. I do not reccomend this book even though it did recieve a pulitzer prize..

I didn't actually like this book, although it got wonderful reviews and many people raved about it.

I read this book years ago after I lived in New Orleans. The quirky characters and the excellent writing make this one of my all time favorite books.

Funny. A little slow and heavy on repitition, but hysterical.

A remarkable book all 'round, different, new and fresh, though imitated since its recognition. Turn off your miserable cell phone and plan to laugh and sink back into another world. Sadly, part of the enchantment is the setting in a New Orleans destroyed by "developers" tourists, corrupt politians (genus Washingtonia and Louisianaense) and natural elements. This book is as delicious and peculiar as Baked Alaska with mango ice cream. Savor it.

I have found that readers of this book fall into one of two categories: you love it or you hate it. Most of my book club hated it. I loved it.

The main character, Ignatius J. Reilly, is a haughty, self-centered, self-seeking, self-proclaimed genius who lives with his mother. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about his character, so don't expect him to stumble across any epiphanies or enlightenment. And yet in spite of everything unlikeable about him, he still makes for very interesting and entertaining reading. Most readers probably won't be able to identify with him. I could not, but that didn't make his story any less appealing.

The story is set in New Orleans and I think that John Kennedy Toole did a really wonderful job of capturing the essence and attitude that is New Orleans.

Once finishing the book, you might ask yourself, "What was the point?" It's not that the book doesn't go anywhere or that the story doesn't progress... I see this book more as a snapshot of a certain time in Ignatus's life and because of that there is no hard and fast conclusion. Perhaps that is why some people are left a little disappointed. The book simply ends, and Ignatius remains Ignatius. But the time you get to spend inside of the fairly off-center mind of Ignatius makes the semi- anticlimactic ending worth it because it's quite the ride in getting there.

In all I found the story to be entertaining and quirky in a way that was refreshing and even a little unique. If you approach this book with the attitude that you won't learn anything useful (and neither do the characters, really) then you shouldn't be disappointed.

Hated it. Some very funny parts but I just didn't get it.

I have two friends who just loved this one. I read the whole thing and never felt the need to see what was next. Characters were completely unbelievable, disgusting of course, in a kind of junior high way. Can't believe it won a Pulitzer. Waste of time.

I didn't particularly enjoy this book, but somehow I was compelled to keep reading it. I only really liked the ending, and NOT because it was over at last.

Very original ,Zany

Worthy of the Pulitzer!

Highly original and incredibly funny novel.

Great quirky novel. Pulitzer winning.

brilliant

Wasn't my cup of tea, just couldn't get in to it. But...others have raved about it. You may well enjoy this one.

I couldn't get into this book. Parts of it were funny, but not funny enough to make up for how obnoxious the characters were.

I think this is my favorite book of all time!

I love a book with eccentric characters and they were plentiful here.

An epic comedy - winner of the Pulitzer prize. Original characters about New Orleans lower depths

phenomenal ... different ... hilariously funny and sad at the same time ... a must-read!

One of my favorites of all time. From the Night of Joy to the Crusade for Moorish dignity, this book opens my valve! Do not miss this gem.

I can't really tell you if I liked this book or not. The main character is strange and unappealing yet I had to finish the book.

I think part of my interest was because he is a writer and so is my daughter. So I wanted to support him, yet did not like him very much. I felt sorry for him because I disliked him so much.

Yet, I needed to continue reading it nevertheless. Maybe it is kind of like needing to look at the car wreck; you don't really want to see it, but you stare anyway.

Got this book from a co-worker...not quite interested in reading it but let me know if you are!

I loved it; wish the movie would come out.

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