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A review by tobin_elliott
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Looking through the comments, I find it interesting how divisive this novel can be. I also believe I may have done myself a disservice reading BUTTERFLY IN THE TYPEWRITER, the story of John Kennedy Toole and his—and his mother's—path to getting this novel published, prior to reading this. If I had it to do again, I'd read the novel first, then the story of its creation afterward.
However, I didn't. I remember being intrigued by this novel about thirty years ago, and reading it and absolutely five-star loving it back then.
Thirty years later, the book absolutely hits differently. I will say I absolutely laughed out loud at points, however I also, at times, cringed at the early-1960s view of...well...everything. Immigrants. Black people. Homosexuals. Obesity. Jews.
Still, this is a book unlike any other I've read, and overall, I was glad to experience it again. It's quite a ride.
However, I didn't. I remember being intrigued by this novel about thirty years ago, and reading it and absolutely five-star loving it back then.
Thirty years later, the book absolutely hits differently. I will say I absolutely laughed out loud at points, however I also, at times, cringed at the early-1960s view of...well...everything. Immigrants. Black people. Homosexuals. Obesity. Jews.
Still, this is a book unlike any other I've read, and overall, I was glad to experience it again. It's quite a ride.