Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11378 in Books
• Published on: 1999-02-25
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Synopsis
A monument to sloth, rant and contempt, and suspicious of anything modern - this is Ignatius J. Reilly of New Orleans, crusader against dunces. In revolt against the 20th century, Ignatius propels his bulk among the flesh-pots of a fallen city, documenting life on his Big Chief tablets as he goes, until his mother decrees that Ignatius must work.

Customer Reviews

Unique!
I love Ignatius! I love Walker Percy! AND I love this book!!!
I think it is unlike anything I have read before. I bought it on the recommendation of my brother (who has rarely steered me wrong) and it is now on my "keep for second read" shelf.
I could practically smell those hot dogs!!

Unlike Anything You've Ever Read Before
I'll admit, I usually don't read 'Pulitzer Prize' winning books, which are usually literary and often academic and 'nuanced' (which is another word for 'boring') -- so it came as some surprise for me to pick up a copy of this book and get sucked right in.

Frankly, this novel is like nothing I've ever read before; Ignatius, the main character, is described as a beast, with 'paws' and elephantine thighs, a misanthropic psuedo-intellectual loser who doesn't have a clue -- and who is finally forced to get a job by his doting but fed-up mom.

This is truly an outrageous book, full of broad strokes and over-the-top characters. Just a great hilarious slapstick riot. You'll laugh! It's really fun and subversive. And it's strange to come across a protagonist this strange. Talk about a misfit. You're both disgusted by Ignatius and morbidly fascinated by him. Really, it's a courageous novel. Don't let it scare you that some call this "literature." Kick back and have a good laugh. Call it a farce, call it satire, it's enjoyable once you give it a chance.

Unlike Anything You've Ever Read Before
I usually don't read 'Pulitzer Prize' winning books, which are usually literary and often academic and 'nuanced' (which is another word for 'boring') -- so it came as some surprise for me to pick up a copy of this book and get sucked right in. Frankly, this novel is like NOTHING I've ever read before; Ignatius, the main character, is described as a beast, with 'paws' and elephantine thighs, a misanthropic psuedo-intellectual loser who doesn't have a clue -- and who is finally forced to get a job by his doting but fed-up mum. This is truly an outrageous book, full of broad strokes and over-the-top characters. Just a great hilarious slapstick riot. You'll laugh! It's really fun! Other related, amusing books off Amazon I recommend: "The Fan Man" by William Kotzwinkle, and "The Losers Club" by Richard Perez