Reviews

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

erikstl's review against another edition

5.0

On an indirect recommendation from Merlin Mann (i.e., I read about it on his website), I decided to give this book a shot. I was most definitely not disappointed. Very few books that aren't autobiographies by comedians actually make me laugh out loud like this one did. The buffoonery of Ignatius Reilly, the protagonist (?) of this novel, remind me so much of the worst qualities of so many people I already know, all rolled into one.

I loved it.

haileyjay's review against another edition

adventurous funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

dunnadam's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this book a lot, possibly the most unique character written in fiction narrates the book and helps move the momentum along.
My interest started to wain a little at about the 65% mark and then he leads an army of gays on a mission to take over the world's political spectrum and it rolled right along to the end.
Also loved the old lady who worked at Levy Pants.

jungihong's review against another edition

5.0

The book was polarized in my high school English class [as are people on Goodreads too!] but still nothing I've read has made me actually laugh out loud more than this novel.

sreeves's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

dnandrews797's review against another edition

3.0

This book was a lot funnier than I expected it to be. It’s a shame this was the author’s only novel because it balanced ironic wit with sparkling social commentary about wealth and race in New Orleans. Hope there’s a film adaption because I’d definitely watch it.

outoftheblue14's review against another edition

4.0

Bizzarro, paradossale, spassosissimo. Avevo leggiucchiato l'introduzione e mi aveva dato l'idea che finisse male... in realtà no. In realtà è stato l'autore a fare una brutta fine, peccato perché aveva un grande talento.

Però adesso mi domando: Ignatius Reilly non è l'alter ego dell'autore,vero?

smontsua's review against another edition

adventurous funny relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sidharthvardhan's review against another edition

3.0

According to its google defination, satire is supposed to do two different things 1. Expose stupidity or hypocrisy of people being satired and 2. To do so in way that makes you laugh. You see everyone knows that everyone else is stupid and hypocrite - and so no one will read a book telling them that unless it is also funny. The problem is humor is something different from person to person. I personally almost never find satires funny. I mean I might love them for different reasons (for example Guliver Travels) but rarely for being funny.

Toole's book is rarely funny but it is a brilliant work of satire. Brilliant because protagonist has something archetypical about him. He leaves a lasting impression (if it be of a wrong kind) like Don Quixiote, Joker, Sydney Carton etc . Three stars just for creating that character. But then merely creating one great character ain't enough to satisfy me - which was why Don Quixote didn't got more than three stars either.

eideticmoose's review against another edition

I can see why people would enjoy this. If I wanted to read about an insufferable neckbeard I’d go to reddit.