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John Kennedy Toole: A Confederacy Of Dunces
- Thread starter ramius
- Start date
SFG75
Well-Known Member
SFG75
Well-Known Member
Ever read a book and laugh out loud, leaving your spouse or nearby friend wondering what in the world is so funny? Chapter 3 was definitely that way with me. Igantius being hired at Levy Pants and his boss's suggestion that he try the rolling cart just had me in stitches. He sits on the stool and then falls with the grace of an Orca splashing back down into the water.
I also couldn't contain myself about Ignatius making hand painted signs, and especially constructing one for his boss that featured a cross and an old phrase. The factory owner visit was rather plain, though the interaction with his wife about the colored t.v. and it's lack of effect on Perry Como also was a highlight. Ignatius's insulting letter to a man who complained about getting a pair of pants with one leg that was only two feet long was a riot as well with the opening address of "I. Abelman, Mongoloid Esq:"
If Levy Pants needed authoritarian rule and strictness, darn it, Ignatius would provide it.
Such a joy this book is.
I also couldn't contain myself about Ignatius making hand painted signs, and especially constructing one for his boss that featured a cross and an old phrase. The factory owner visit was rather plain, though the interaction with his wife about the colored t.v. and it's lack of effect on Perry Como also was a highlight. Ignatius's insulting letter to a man who complained about getting a pair of pants with one leg that was only two feet long was a riot as well with the opening address of "I. Abelman, Mongoloid Esq:"
Such a joy this book is.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
Although a distant character, Myrna provides some biting wit and humor into the story. The grudge match is intense as she definitely knows how to needle him on his faults.
The divine right comment is an "inside" thing that a person who has yet to read this book wouldn't pick up on. Ignatius has a chivalric attitude and upholds the virtues of "good theology and geometry" and looks down upon modern culture around him. This is yet another section where the reader can't help but snicker every five minutes or so.
Igantius responds that he is in the "food merchandise business" but fails to mention that he's a hot-dog vendor and does that only to keep his mother off his back.
The divine right comment is an "inside" thing that a person who has yet to read this book wouldn't pick up on. Ignatius has a chivalric attitude and upholds the virtues of "good theology and geometry" and looks down upon modern culture around him. This is yet another section where the reader can't help but snicker every five minutes or so.
Igantius responds that he is in the "food merchandise business" but fails to mention that he's a hot-dog vendor and does that only to keep his mother off his back.
Gem
kickbox
Finally finished it. It is a very amusing read and Ignatius has been duly added to my list of Most Memorable characters.
Ignatius trying to identify the naked woman in the porn picture because she happens to be 'reading' his favourite book made me snigger, as did poor Miss Trixie the senile accountant at Levy Pants who takes the blame for writing the letter that SFG75 mentions - she thinks that Ignatius had always been nice to her and wouldn't blame her if it wasn't true and that with her memory being what it is, perhaps she just forgot that she had done it.
Ignatius trying to identify the naked woman in the porn picture because she happens to be 'reading' his favourite book made me snigger, as did poor Miss Trixie the senile accountant at Levy Pants who takes the blame for writing the letter that SFG75 mentions - she thinks that Ignatius had always been nice to her and wouldn't blame her if it wasn't true and that with her memory being what it is, perhaps she just forgot that she had done it.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
Mrs. Levy is a hoot as well, her constant nagging on her husband and how he is squandering his father's business away. I don't know how many times I laughed while reading the book, an annoying occurance according to the wife, but how could you not laugh when Mrs. Levy brought Miss Trixie home!. Let's not also forget Ignatius's correspondence with his girlfriend far away and her weird sexual liberation movement. This was a great one Gem, no doubt about it.
I don't know how many times I laughed while reading the book, an annoying occurance according to the wife, but how could you not laugh when Mrs. Levy brought Miss Trixie home!. Let's not also forget Ignatius's correspondence with his girlfriend far away and her weird sexual liberation movement. This was a great one Gem, no doubt about it.
Gem
kickbox
Ah yes Mrs Levy - you can't fault her though - after all she took a psychology course, so she knows what she is talking about .
Without Myrna and her views on sexual liberation, there would be no motivation for Ignatius to commit the follies he does. They do make quite the pair.
Underneath all the humour, there is an interesting commentary about the social mores of the time - what did you think of it? Or am I just imagining it?
.Without Myrna and her views on sexual liberation, there would be no motivation for Ignatius to commit the follies he does. They do make quite the pair.
Underneath all the humour, there is an interesting commentary about the social mores of the time - what did you think of it? Or am I just imagining it?
Flor
New Member
oh no
Another book that I so badly want to reread. Years ago I lived and worked as a waitress in a tourist town near the Smoky Mtns. That translated to lots of reading time in the evenings and this was one of the best books from that period. The masturbation scene where Ignatius fantasizes about his collie dog, oh my I laughed so hard I spit my CocaCola out. Doesn't it take place in 50s NO? Got to read this again someday. When I read it, I was such a tabula rasa and didn't understand much of anything. But this is funny and I got that much.
Another book that I so badly want to reread. Years ago I lived and worked as a waitress in a tourist town near the Smoky Mtns. That translated to lots of reading time in the evenings and this was one of the best books from that period. The masturbation scene where Ignatius fantasizes about his collie dog, oh my I laughed so hard I spit my CocaCola out. Doesn't it take place in 50s NO? Got to read this again someday. When I read it, I was such a tabula rasa and didn't understand much of anything. But this is funny and I got that much.
Gem
kickbox
Oh yes, Ignatius and his love for the dog
.It's set in the early 1960's, and it is for sure worth a reread.
Tabula Rasa? I never thought I would meet someone who would use that term so fittingly in everyday conversation - it's nice to meet you Flor
.
I found the same parts of the book laugh out loud funny. I'm still part way through it and can't wait to read it tonight. I think Ignatius is a brilliant literary character. For me he kind of represent the ID in all educated people. I can certainly relate to his reasoning a lot of the time.
-Carlos-
New Member
It's too bad that the author committed suicide in 1969.
There is another book by the same writer called The Neon Bible.
There is another book by the same writer called The Neon Bible.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
It's too bad that the author committed suicide in 1969.
There is another book by the same writer called The Neon Bible.
The story of how A Confederacy of Dunces is just amazing. The author's mother took it in for the good professor to read. Just imagine what would've happened had he convinced her it wan't that good or somehow disposed of it.
Next Halloween, I'm going as Ignatius J. Reilly. My kids have the plastic cutlass, I'll need the winter cap, a hot dog, and I'll be ready to go.
joderu95
New Member
It was not nearly as funny as I was hoping it would be. If I remember right (I read it several years ago) the detective character was often more enjoyable than IJR, but his part in the story was much more limited. I did get a kick out of IJR's pretentious and effete personality but it just didn't show up enough.
jaybe
Member
It made me smile to myself at times, but certainly not a comedy to me.
Hard work at times, as someone has already said it should have had a good editor chopping it a fair bit.
Well worth it though, Ignatious is such a great character, along with all the others. Jaw droppingly brilliant.
Hard work at times, as someone has already said it should have had a good editor chopping it a fair bit.
Well worth it though, Ignatious is such a great character, along with all the others. Jaw droppingly brilliant.
tomeraider
New Member
This is one of my all time favorites. I listened to the audio version a couple yeas ago, narrated by Barrett Whitener who did a fantastic job. There aren't that many books I wish to reread, but this is surely one of them.
DATo
Active Member
Outrageously funny !!! I had many "laugh out loud" moments while reading this book. All of the dialects Toole used for his characters were spot on perfect if spoken aloud and the personalities of all of his characters were so well developed that one can imagine them as real people. I got this book as a result of many recommendations I had read at another book reading site. This is the only book I have ever begun reading again from the beginning when I got to the last page.
It is my understanding that Toole taught literature for a short time at the college level and his classes were packed because he brought the same level of humor to his teaching regimen as is found in the book. His premature death was a tremendous loss for what later became a huge fan base of this book and the Pulitzer Prize speaks for itself. One can only wonder what other gems he might have written had he lived. Also sad to consider that his suicide may have at least in part been associated with the initial rejection of his book. He died never to know the acclaim he would later receive.
It is my understanding that Toole taught literature for a short time at the college level and his classes were packed because he brought the same level of humor to his teaching regimen as is found in the book. His premature death was a tremendous loss for what later became a huge fan base of this book and the Pulitzer Prize speaks for itself. One can only wonder what other gems he might have written had he lived. Also sad to consider that his suicide may have at least in part been associated with the initial rejection of his book. He died never to know the acclaim he would later receive.