My favorite book of all time! John Kennedy Toole is nothing less than a literary genius. I can't understand the person who doesn't appreciate this book.
I love how personally Mrs. Levy takes it every time her husband insults her exercise board. "I already told you! Leave the board out of this!" This is my favorite book of all time. It never gets boring.
@@justjuanreader I'm glad you enjoyed Confederacy so much. Please read his biography written by two women. 🌏 Here is a book I'd love you to read: A One Hundred Dollar Misunderstanding by Robert Gover (it's part of a trilogy)
@@justjuanreaderHow many biographies of J.K. Toole have you read? Phillip Seymour Hoffman the perfect choice, but no other actor(on the planet)? *Please read Black Dahlia Avenger & Most Evil( Part 2 ) {nonfiction books for your review} THANK YOU
I love the audio version. Brings life to the characters. You should give it a listen. I think there is hope for a movie there’s always a chance for a movie someday.
John Kennedy Toole was a master of comedic art. His humor is veiled so subtly that we do not appreciate the intricacy of the construction until it hits us right between the eyes and drops us to the floor as we hold our sides, gasp for breath, and laugh uncontrollably. An office is in a state of mayhem and in the middle of the chaos the phone rings. The speaker on the other end of the line is not identified other than by his vocal dialect, but we know at once who it is. The speaker, who has no association with this office in any other aspect of the story, asks a simple question and this is enough to reduce us to hysterical laughter. This was the genius of John Kennedy Toole. He was a master of the entire spectrum of comedy and could push buttons within us at the precise moment in time necessary to achieve the effect he sought. The dispositions of all of the characters in the book are described so vividly that the reader knows them down to the very core of their being. Their physical and even verbal characteristics are so well presented that one can see and hear them as though they are in the same room as the reader. There has never been a book which I have read in the past in which virtually all of the characters were so real-to-life, so accessible and so vibrant. I totally agree with the creator of this video - there will never be a movie presentation which will be capable of rendering the effect that is evoked by the printed material of this book. Each of these characters are so well imprinted upon our psyches and so well loved that we would rebel violently at any approximations attempted by the movie industry. I strongly feel that any attempt to bring this novel to the screen would fail miserably. This is not only the funniest book I have ever read, but the funniest comedy I have ever experienced in any medium including movies, literature, graphic art or stand up comedy. It is a terrible tragedy in my estimation that the author never lived to know how much his work would be loved and appreciated by future generations. Let this serve as a pean to all who are despondent - to all who have given up hope ... never give up! Just beyond the next turn in the road and just beyond your sight the substance of your dreams may await you. /
Oh, I had this on my shelf for years, unread. Every time I watch a Juan video about an unread book of mine, I feel an obligation to abort my current reads and scramble to the book of discussion. Thank you for that!
Thank you so much for properly acknowledging the circumstances around the book's writing and publication. The story of the book really does amplify the power of the book's story. Still, and probably forever, my favorite book.
Mental health - linking thoughts and affects, subjects and objects to generate new creativity. Ignatius - attacks thought, through psychosis, parsnoid-schizoid mechanisms
My favorite work of fiction. For some reason, the scene where Ignatius’ neighbor detailed a funeral he held for a cat, just really hit me. It made his character so real in the sense that… you get the feeling that literary characters live in the story you’re reading, and only there. It’s like the characters feel like actors for the story you’re reading. That scene gave life to Ignatius like, oh, I’m not reading about a literary character.. this guy actually exists. Like watching somebody do something nice when nobody is looking makes you think wow that person really is good. That scene made me go, wow this character really is real. He organized a funeral for a cat, theatrics and all, not even aware of the author’s pen. I’ve only read about 100 books give or take, but of those, I’ve never seen that device used in anything I’ve read before or after that.
This is truly a masterpiece ! I sometimes reread highlights from it and laugh at it ; before A Confederacy of Dunces, I saw literature just as a gloomy thing. I thought that you had to be deeply saddened by a book to get meaning. But A Confederacy of Dunces teaches a lesson (the best of them) and all of that in laughter. Some say that this is not a real novel since the characters don't really evolve. Actually, do people always evolve ? At the end the characters and their situation change only because Destiny/Fortuna decided to. We really must accept that we can't control everything in our lives (and I guess even the author struggled with this) and cope.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I'm so excited to see you loved it too! It's one that has definitely stayed vivid in my mind years later. 😄😄😄 The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is amazing too! Great taste! 😘
I was prompted to read “A Confederacy of Dunces” because a man sitting next to me on the train was laughing out loud while reading the book. For me, it was a collection of preposterous scenarios filled with amusing oddball characters. Much of the narrative seemed slapstick. Disappointingly, I didn’t roar with laughter the way my fellow commuter had. It would be interesting to see if among your commenters, whether the level of appreciation of the humor in this book is different between men and women.
Oh no, what am I missing, I just finished the book, it left me feeling empty in the same way when reading Passing by Nella Larsen 2 decades ago. I did not enjoy it and could not wait for it to be over. It was special and interesting and I laughed at times as well, but it just, I couldn't recommend it to anyone I know, maybe because there is no satisfaction in the book? How could I not feel this way watching Ignatius slowly decline. What am I missing, have I not let it stew enough?
@@AniVaroni honestly, I feel you! I’ve felt just like that many many times, trying to understand if there was something that made me miss out on something that is much beloved by some. I don’t think it’s the reader’s fault at all, especially with a book like this one, which has a very specific tone and style. I think it’s a book that is bound to be somehwhat divisive, either it resonates or it doesn’t… but it’s so great that you stuck til the end!
I read about half of the book some time ago, I remember not liking parts of it because I found some of the humour just as cynical as that of the main character's the author was criticising. But I want to read it again now.
idk why you think ignatius isnt brilliant. just because he is a reactionary and a social outcast doesnt make everything he says ridiculous. ITs such a dumb interpretation. Rather it a peek into a mind so out out touch with the present it is married to the sensibilities of an era long gone.
Totally agree with this. I think the novel’s brilliance is how the character can be seen as a dual symbol depending on how you interpret him: one way, he can be a brilliant mind married to the sensibilities of an era long gone (your words); the other way, he’s an idiot schizoid personality type and an utter pain in the neck. This novel is so wonderful and hilarious, I can’t wait to read it again.
The letter Ignatius sent to that Levy Pants supplier is the funniest thing ever written down on paper.
My favorite book of all time! John Kennedy Toole is nothing less than a literary genius.
I can't understand the person who doesn't appreciate this book.
This book made me love reading.
I love how personally Mrs. Levy takes it every time her husband insults her exercise board. "I already told you! Leave the board out of this!" This is my favorite book of all time. It never gets boring.
Agree!! That exercise board is legendary 😂
🤣🤣🤣
@@justjuanreader I'm glad you enjoyed Confederacy so much. Please read his biography written by two women. 🌏 Here is a book I'd love you to read: A One Hundred Dollar Misunderstanding by Robert Gover (it's part of a trilogy)
@@justjuanreaderHow many biographies of J.K. Toole have you read? Phillip Seymour Hoffman the perfect choice, but no other actor(on the planet)? *Please read Black Dahlia Avenger & Most Evil( Part 2 ) {nonfiction books for your review} THANK YOU
I love the audio version. Brings life to the characters. You should give it a listen. I think there is hope for a movie there’s always a chance for a movie someday.
Im rereading it now. It is such a rich, enjoyable book with so much subtle social commentary. So many great characters to psychoanalyze.
John Kennedy Toole was a master of comedic art. His humor is veiled so subtly that we do not appreciate the intricacy of the construction until it hits us right between the eyes and drops us to the floor as we hold our sides, gasp for breath, and laugh uncontrollably. An office is in a state of mayhem and in the middle of the chaos the phone rings. The speaker on the other end of the line is not identified other than by his vocal dialect, but we know at once who it is. The speaker, who has no association with this office in any other aspect of the story, asks a simple question and this is enough to reduce us to hysterical laughter. This was the genius of John Kennedy Toole. He was a master of the entire spectrum of comedy and could push buttons within us at the precise moment in time necessary to achieve the effect he sought.
The dispositions of all of the characters in the book are described so vividly that the reader knows them down to the very core of their being. Their physical and even verbal characteristics are so well presented that one can see and hear them as though they are in the same room as the reader. There has never been a book which I have read in the past in which virtually all of the characters were so real-to-life, so accessible and so vibrant. I totally agree with the creator of this video - there will never be a movie presentation which will be capable of rendering the effect that is evoked by the printed material of this book. Each of these characters are so well imprinted upon our psyches and so well loved that we would rebel violently at any approximations attempted by the movie industry. I strongly feel that any attempt to bring this novel to the screen would fail miserably.
This is not only the funniest book I have ever read, but the funniest comedy I have ever experienced in any medium including movies, literature, graphic art or stand up comedy.
It is a terrible tragedy in my estimation that the author never lived to know how much his work would be loved and appreciated by future generations. Let this serve as a pean to all who are despondent - to all who have given up hope ... never give up! Just beyond the next turn in the road and just beyond your sight the substance of your dreams may await you.
/
What a great comment! Thank you
Yes,this book is great! There are videos of his mother on UA-cam. She's a real character. There's a statue of the Ignatius in New Orleans.
Oh, I had this on my shelf for years, unread. Every time I watch a Juan video about an unread book of mine, I feel an obligation to abort my current reads and scramble to the book of discussion. Thank you for that!
Yep. First read this in 1988. Nearly passed out for lack of oxygen in a couple of places.
Thank you so much for properly acknowledging the circumstances around the book's writing and publication. The story of the book really does amplify the power of the book's story. Still, and probably forever, my favorite book.
Mental health - linking thoughts and affects, subjects and objects to generate new creativity.
Ignatius - attacks thought, through psychosis, parsnoid-schizoid mechanisms
Reading his biography and the book about him and his mother were great too. She was a force to be reckoned with.
My favorite work of fiction. For some reason, the scene where Ignatius’ neighbor detailed a funeral he held for a cat, just really hit me. It made his character so real in the sense that… you get the feeling that literary characters live in the story you’re reading, and only there. It’s like the characters feel like actors for the story you’re reading. That scene gave life to Ignatius like, oh, I’m not reading about a literary character.. this guy actually exists. Like watching somebody do something nice when nobody is looking makes you think wow that person really is good. That scene made me go, wow this character really is real. He organized a funeral for a cat, theatrics and all, not even aware of the author’s pen. I’ve only read about 100 books give or take, but of those, I’ve never seen that device used in anything I’ve read before or after that.
The beautiful thing about Ignatius is that underneath the hedonism, hypocrisy, delusion he does care about others.
You have sold it for me.
Great review, I miss your face.
I've had friends exactly like the main character.i was entertained by their eccentricity
Goooood gawwwwwwwwwd
I liked this style of video quite a bit and shall definitely get to this before the year is up
This is truly a masterpiece ! I sometimes reread highlights from it and laugh at it ; before A Confederacy of Dunces, I saw literature just as a gloomy thing. I thought that you had to be deeply saddened by a book to get meaning. But A Confederacy of Dunces teaches a lesson (the best of them) and all of that in laughter.
Some say that this is not a real novel since the characters don't really evolve. Actually, do people always evolve ? At the end the characters and their situation change only because Destiny/Fortuna decided to. We really must accept that we can't control everything in our lives (and I guess even the author struggled with this) and cope.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I'm so excited to see you loved it too! It's one that has definitely stayed vivid in my mind years later. 😄😄😄
The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is amazing too! Great taste! 😘
I bought this book because of you. Thank you!
Amazing review! Thanks!! ✨️🦄🌞
I was prompted to read “A Confederacy of Dunces” because a man sitting next to me on the train was laughing out loud while reading the book. For me, it was a collection of preposterous scenarios filled with amusing oddball characters. Much of the narrative seemed slapstick. Disappointingly, I didn’t roar with laughter the way my fellow commuter had.
It would be interesting to see if among your commenters, whether the level of appreciation of the humor in this book is different between men and women.
Right now it looks evenly split. One guy liked it and one didn't, one woman liked it (me) and one didn't (you). Juan breaks the tie though! 😉
Oh no, what am I missing, I just finished the book, it left me feeling empty in the same way when reading Passing by Nella Larsen 2 decades ago. I did not enjoy it and could not wait for it to be over. It was special and interesting and I laughed at times as well, but it just, I couldn't recommend it to anyone I know, maybe because there is no satisfaction in the book? How could I not feel this way watching Ignatius slowly decline. What am I missing, have I not let it stew enough?
@@AniVaroni honestly, I feel you! I’ve felt just like that many many times, trying to understand if there was something that made me miss out on something that is much beloved by some. I don’t think it’s the reader’s fault at all, especially with a book like this one, which has a very specific tone and style. I think it’s a book that is bound to be somehwhat divisive, either it resonates or it doesn’t… but it’s so great that you stuck til the end!
It's about 100 pages too long, with that said Ignatius is my hero.
Great review! Even if it became a film, I’ll love to see it in the style of Wes Anderson or Amelie.
I read about half of the book some time ago, I remember not liking parts of it because I found some of the humour just as cynical as that of the main character's the author was criticising. But I want to read it again now.
The texture of the cover of your copy feels kinda rough/sandpaper??? Im afraid I purchased a fake copy
Can anyone recommend a book similar?
I read this book a long time ago and I wasn't enthused by it. Maybe it deserves a rereading on my part.
idk why you think ignatius isnt brilliant. just because he is a reactionary and a social outcast doesnt make everything he says ridiculous. ITs such a dumb interpretation. Rather it a peek into a mind so out out touch with the present it is married to the sensibilities of an era long gone.
Totally agree with this. I think the novel’s brilliance is how the character can be seen as a dual symbol depending on how you interpret him: one way, he can be a brilliant mind married to the sensibilities of an era long gone (your words); the other way, he’s an idiot schizoid personality type and an utter pain in the neck. This novel is so wonderful and hilarious, I can’t wait to read it again.