Play Book Tag discussion

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole - 2* - My Review

This book is purported to be “hilarious.” I guess my sense of humor is different. It is a picaresque satiric tale set in New Orleans in the 1960s. Our “hero,” Ignatius Reilly, is a very large man who wears a green hat and is initially (deliberately) unemployed. He is an arrogant buffoon. Due to a series of bizarre events, his mother forces him to find employment. The storyline follows his search for a job, disruption of each work environment he manages to find, and the many ways he botches his assignments.

Ignatius is “the smartest guy in the room.” Just ask him. And everyone else is an idiot (and aligned against him – hence, the “confederacy.”) The story relies heavily on the written equivalent of slapstick humor. It contains a LOT of bickering among unpleasant characters. This book is social satire of pretty much everything that society is based upon. Ignatius claims not to care about wealth or status but spends most of the book trying to make (or hide) money. It can be intellectual in places, with multiple literary and historic references, but for me, those were lost in all the insults, descriptions of bodily functions, and crude humor. I’m filing this one under “not for me.”

PBT Steeplechase: Tagged "hilarious" x23:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

PBT BWF January "Extra" - fits letter "C" and "T" but not tag

This is what's called a "marmite" book - named after the strange spread popular with our down-under friends. You either love it or hate it. I did it on audio and every time Ignatius said, "Oh my gawwd!", it cracked me up. Some of the humor is pretty dated (like having an army of gay men because they would spend all their time improving the uniform instead of killing people.) I do have a weakness for unrepentant rogues (only in fiction, not in real life!) so I was rooting for Ignatius. But I totally understand why people could detest it.

You are definitely not alone. More of my friends loved it than hated it.

It reminds me of a Will Ferrell movie where the protagonist is intentionally unpleasant, outlandish, and over-the-top. My son loves those movies and I hate them (except for Elf).

I had to read your review because this was on the PBS 100 books you must read (or whatever it was called) and the cover is kinda weird, 70s conjunction junction style art, and I always wondered 'what the fk is this book!?'

Based on your description I will skip!

It's on the Boxall List of "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die," which is the reason it was on my TBR.

It has a sad backstory. The author died by suicide and never saw it published. His mother was relentless in her search for a publisher, and finally it was accepted (and later awarded the Pulitzer Prize).

That is a sad story :(
I didn't know that.

I attempted to read this book more than once. Never made it past about 20 to 25 pages - and I'm not one to DNF a book. It's one that puzzles me to no end as to why it won a Pulitzer - but then I often wonder that about Pultizer winning books - and why it's considered great by some and unreadable by others (me and most of my reading friends) and even why it is still in print. I get that his mother's relentless efforts got it published in the first place.

BTW I recently learned that the author had other books published before he died - or at least one book. There's incorrect info and lore out there that this is a one published book author, which of course just added to the lore that is attached to this book.

I also have that same reaction to Will Farrell - lordy I hate his movies - even Elf (and I adore Christmas movies, including Bad Santa). However, that Elf dislike may be softening -- one night this past Christmas season I was too lazy to change the channel when Elf came on while I was working on my Advent Jigsaw Puzzle. For the first time I realized that much of the movie reflects the 'look' and even references the classic stop action animated Rudoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - those elf costumes! I still have serious issues with Farrell -- but actually enjoyed watching it.

Theresa wrote: "I attempted to read this book more than once. Never made it past about 20 to 25 pages - and I'm not one to DNF a book. It's one that puzzles me to no end as to why it won a Pulitzer - but then I of..."
Yes, I looked it up. He wrote a book called The Neon Bible at age 16. I think part of the reason it is valued is due to all the literary, philosophical and historical connections, (e.g., Boethius) along with his obvious vast vocabulary. It is an erudite book, though seems to have a pretty bleak outlook on society, and humanity in general. These types of books tend to appeal to prize boards.

Regarding Elf, I cannot explain my love for that movie, but I do love it. Somehow Will Ferrell, who normally plays an obnoxious jerk, has channeled his inner child and his Elf character seems so naive and well, loveable. I don't like any of his other movies (I've seen them indirectly because my son used to play them over and over - he thinks they are hilarious. Obviously, we have different senses of humor.)

Well, if Theresa says it's a DNF that just further seals the deal for me! :P

I agree with Joy. I did not get most of it as humor, but it was satirical. I didn't like the characters but that was probably intentional as satire, but that doesn't make it funny. I often find I am out of sync with many books that are humorous satire. Just not my thing.

I give you kudos for finishing it Joy. This was a rare DNF for me although my friends loved it. I just didn't get it!

Thanks, Ellen. If I hadn't been reading it for Steeplechase, I might have DNF'd it too.

Joy D wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I attempted to read this book more than once. Never made it past about 20 to 25 pages - and I'm not one to DNF a book. It's one that puzzles me to no end as to why it won a Pulitzer..."

I read The Neon Bible just a month or so ago. It wasn't bad for a young writer, but not very memorable.

Joy D wrote: "A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole - 2* - My Review

This book is purported to be “hilarious” …

Thanks Joy and Robin for the alternative views. I read a lot about this book during the voting for the PBS Great American Reads. The description and back story reminded me too much of someone I knew, and it pretty much guaranteed that I wouldn’t find it funny then. It makes me sad just to think about it. I could probably handle it now, but I won’t try.

Pulitzers are often awarded to depressing books that illuminate real social ills, and we often laugh at the absurdities of life, so I understand all the different reactions.