Product Description

The ordinary folk of New Orleans seem to think he is unhinged as well. Ignatius ignores them as he heaves his vast bulk through the city’s fleshpots in a noble crusade against vice, modernity and ignorance. But his momma has a nasty surprise in store for him. Ignatius must get a job. Undaunted, he uses his new-found employment to further his mission – and now he has a pirate costume and a hot-dog cart to do it with …

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27206 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

About the Author
John Kennedy Toole (1937-1969) After graduating from Tulane University, he received a master’s degree from Columbia University and taught at Hunter College, the University of Southwestern Louisiana, and Dominican College. Much of the first draft of Confederacy was written while he was in the army, stationed in Puerto Rico teaching English to new recruits.

Customer Reviews

One of the truly great southern American classics
This book made its way into my hands low some twenty years ago, and I've been touting it to my friends ever since. It is by no means a perfect book--what is? But it is extremely well crafted, funny, and also sad. One cannot but help see Ignatius as a sad Toole, with his failure or "perceived failure" that Toole must have experience, knowing he'd written such a great work of art, yet being rejected over and over by a publishing industry that was too busy making money. I only wonder what those who rejected him feel like now that the money is steadily rolling in. And stead it is and has been because this book just keeps on going, like the Energizer Bunny.

CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES made a splash when it first appeared on the scene, and still has a strong following. I'd put it in the same category as the novels ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, KATZENJAMMER (by Mccrae), and THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP.

Probably the centerpiece in this great work is Ignatius. We're giving just about every detail possibly on this guy, from what he's wearing to how he bathes himself, or not. His antics are endless and he is pathetic and funny at the same time. Were it not for his complete lack of self awareness, he'd truly be a tragic figure. His pith and wit make him comic and likable and we're drawn to him, if for no other fact than to find out what will happen.

This novel is on my list of great Southern literatre, right up there with Faulkner's AS I LAY DYING or Flagg's FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. Truly a great work of art. Thank God it finally made it to a publisher.

Genius
One of the best books ever written, contrary to the idioacy sprayed forth by a preceeding "reviewer" of "questionable erudition". The characters are INTEGRATED in a stunning way, the different sets of INTERELATED people are charming, hilarious and well worth rooting for. Yes Ignatius is foolish, unreasonable, socio-self-righteous and treats his mother appallingly. That is the POINT. He makes any thoughtful reader ashamed of times when s/he did not appreciate one's parents.

Life-enriching
I have enjoyed this book time and again over the last 25 years. I've bought a dozen copies during the last two decades, to replace unreturned loans to friends. I don't begrudge the loss in the least.
The book has given my friends and family new a verb "to ignatiate" i.e. to watch, read or listen to something with the sole aim of becoming exasperated and shouting back.
I have a suspicion that P.J.Chant (see the one star review)is the embodiment of Ignatius J. Just look at the language and the satisfied ignatiation in his rant.
This is one of the finest comic novels of the 20th Century. BUY IT AND PASS IT ON!