Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

I have heard mixed reviews and feelings about this book. It seems to be one of those that people either love or hate. I myself found it to be really quite enjoyable and humorous. It seems one of the complaints about this book is that some see it as a glorification of whining though I myself did not perceive it that way. I do not think Toole was making an attempt to glorify whining but rather making a parody of that increasing aspect within modern American culture.

I do not find that any of the characters he created appear in a truly flattering light, and few if any can be seen as sympathetic, I think that the irony of the story, is that this cast of characters each of whom are creators of their own problems, while viewing themselves as some sort of victim of someone else or society at large, in indeed the Confederacy of Dunces. They are to be laughed at, and not glorified.

One thing I really enjoyed about the book was the way in which Toole was able to make all these connections between several different little plots and weave all the characters together, tying everything up at the end.

I love this work, it is one of my favorites. It also has a happy ending with some real meaning, in my opinion.

Yes, I though the ending of it, was like a modern day version of the fairy "happily ever after" in thier own way things worked out for everyone. It was clelver how it was all wrapped up.

It may not be 'glorification of whining' (great description btw) but it is a very humorous satire of the special kind of mental state where you believe in yourself even though your achievements have nothing to show for your 'perceived' abilities. The whole book is a brilliant commentary about how society needs proof of your abilities in the form of good social standing and more before they take you seriously in your attempt to influence them (for good reason?). We believe it too, else the book wouldn't be that funny.

This book truly is a modern, New Orleans style Don Quixote. Also, of note is the no holds barred depiction of a mother and son relationship that is brutally frank but also a bit delusional. The main character does not appear to have a clue that he is threatened by his mother's growing self-awareness, confidence and independence.

I actually tried reading this book years before I ever came across the "1001 books" list - but it took me several attempts to get past the first few pages.

Because one of my ex-boyfriends was THE REAL-LIFE EMBODIMENT of Ignatius Reilly.

So it took me about five tries before I could get through the first few pages without wanting to shudder and throw the book against the wall.

...Fortunately, the book was worth it. But, yeah, that was an unforeseen problem.

This is an awesome book! I re-read it every year and absolutely love it even more each time.

I know this departs somewhat from conventional wisdom, but as hard as I tried, I just didn't enjoy it that much, or find it especially funny.

I'm with you, Ben. It actually just made me sad.

Ben wrote: "I know this departs somewhat from conventional wisdom, but as hard as I tried, I just didn't enjoy it that much, or find it especially funny."

I attempted it years ago and gave up quickly, but I have a friend in New Orleans who says I MUST read it, and now that I've been to NOLA I will understand it better. So I need to get a copy of it and try again.

Gini: I tried to read this book several times and could never get into it. This summer I listened to it (download from Audible.com) and really enjoyed it. The narrator was wonderful and really brought these quirky characters to life.

Becky, I am going to the library today to pick out a new audiobook for a long car trip, so I will look for it. Thanks!

IMHO, this is an American masterpiece.

OMG, I'm soooo happy to see so much controversay about "Confederacy..." because I have tried, and tried but just haven't been able to read it!!! It just gets me because I want to read and enjoy it knowing that it's touted to be a masterpiece and all. Oh, Lord, I don't know what to do!!! Maybe Gini and Becky have the solution. We're driving to see our daughter who lives in Louisiana, next week, and we could listen to it in the car! More on this later....

I adored this one! I didn't see it so much as a glorification of whining as a mockery of delusions of grandeur. I thought it was hysterical.

I know people like the main character that are too full of themselves to see how pathetic they are acting. I just can't find it funny because that quality infuriates me. I get angry just thinking about it! Although perhaps if it wasn't one of my pet peeves I would have been able to enjoy it more. As it stands I can not relate at all!

Maybe that was my problem. I just didn't find it funny. I'm also put off by that affect in people, so I would have very little tolerance for reading about it. Now I can't even find that book in my stacks! LOL I wonder what I did with it! :P

I found it very funny in that way where you groan and laugh at the same time.

This is in my bookbag of just checked out of the library books. I'm appreciating both the pros & cons, & it intrigues me enough to where even though it's a thick book, I'm not so daunted by it that I'll automatically relegate it to the bottom of the pile :)

Put me on the "didn't love it" list.

Also, the "didn't find it funny" list.

And finally, just to be a little controversial, put me on the "would this book have received so much attention if its backstory - author suicide, mother's mission - wasn't so dramatic?" list.

Todd

Will wrote: "Put me on the "didn't love it" list.

Also, the "didn't find it funny" list.

And finally, just to be a little controversial, put me on the "would this book have received so much attention if its b..."
Yes, it would have. It is fantastic and is an American classic ala Don Quixote, IMO.

Will wrote: "Put me on the "didn't love it" list.

Also, the "didn't find it funny" list.

And finally, just to be a little controversial, put me on the "would this book have received so much attention if its b..."

While I certainly agree that the backstory of the author and his mother's tenacity in getting it published make for an interesting story in itself, I quickly forgot all about that before finishing the first chapter. I respect that people will have varying opinions about every book that has been written. However, I truly think this book can be enjoyed and appreciated by anyone who reads it if they are in the right frame of mind. I've read it three times in 20 years and have actually laughed out loud at certain points in the book each time.

My heart literally aches when I think of what other masterpieces Toole might have written. I wish that I could go back to the year that I was born and stop him from taking his own life.

Bravo, Christopher!

It is one of those books that I buy a copy of whenever I find it so I can give it away for someone else to read. I started this with Journey by Michener because I thought it was a great story and soooo much shorter than his other books. I do not run across copies of either often.

I read this because so many people I respected throughout my undergraduate years gave it "my favorite novel" status.
I was repulsed by it. It wasn't funny. It was annoying. I still don't get the hype. I read it during a time when I finished every book I started - ultimately leading to a lot of unnecessary book grief.
I wonder what it is that polarizes this book between love it or hate it?

I couldn't stand it myself, forced myself through it because it was for an in-person group, but I wish I'd abandoned it halfway through. I didn't find it funny or meaningful at all, but I know a lot of people did. I think it's just one of those where you like the style or you don't.

I started this book twice many, many years ago and couldn't get into it. I listened to the audiobook version and thoroughly enjoyed it. I guess I needed to hear Nawluns.