Play Book Tag discussion

A Confederacy of Dunces
This topic is about A Confederacy of Dunces
22 views
March 2022: Classics > A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole - 2 stars

Comments Showing 1-11 of 11 (11 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

Linda C (libladynylindac) | 1829 comments This Pulitzer Prize winning novel did not appeal to me at all. There were a few funny scenes and the ending had a bit of hope, but the characters were so unappealing. I just don't care for this type of satire that takes things to the extreme.

My second classic this month and 2 misses. I need to scan my shelves and find a good one.


message 2: by NancyJ (new) - added it

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 11294 comments I think this is one that a lot of people find challenging or unappealing.


message 3: by Joanne (new)

Joanne (joabroda1) | 12876 comments Standing Ovation for you Linda, for finishing it. I threw it back after just a few chapters


message 4: by Booknblues (new) - added it

Booknblues | 12497 comments Joanne wrote: "Standing Ovation for you Linda, for finishing it. I threw it back after just a few chapters"

Ditto, a DNF for me as well. It was one of those "I really do not care what happens," moments


message 5: by Theresa (last edited Mar 11, 2022 06:01AM) (new)

Theresa | 16104 comments Booknblues wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Standing Ovation for you Linda, for finishing it. I threw it back after just a few chapters"

Ditto, a DNF for me as well. It was one of those "I really do not care what happens," mo..."


Me 3. I think I tossed it after or in the middle of chapter 2. It was awful and stupid and boring. I like and appreciate satire, too, but this doesn't even get a nod to being worthy of being considered readable. Never understood how it achieved the accolades it did. Now, the story of how the author's mother got it published, that was good.


Book Concierge (tessabookconcierge) | 8537 comments I finished only because it was a book-club selection. Hated it. In fact everyone in the book club hated it. My favorite comment from the book club members: "Was the Committee on drugs that year? What a paucity of candidates there must have been for THIS to win the Pullitzer."


message 7: by Meli (new)

Meli (melihooker) | 4165 comments I have always been curious about this book since it popped up on the PBS list of 100 books (or whatever that was). The title and cover art is so strange to me for some reason. I think I will skip, although I do like satire that goes extreme in some cases.


message 8: by Theresa (last edited Mar 11, 2022 06:09AM) (new)

Theresa | 16104 comments Book Concierge wrote: "I finished only because it was a book-club selection. Hated it. In fact everyone in the book club hated it. My favorite comment from the book club members: "Was the Committee on drugs that year? Wh..."

🤣🤣🤣

Since it won that Pulitzer, I have not met a single person who has read it and liked it.

I looked it up - it won in 1981. The other 2 finalists I never heard of: Godric and So Long, See You Tomorrow.


message 9: by Jen K (last edited Mar 11, 2022 06:34AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jen K | 3207 comments I actually really liked it but read it before I wrote reviews and it was so long ago that I can't tell you why!

Now I want to read it again to see. :)


message 10: by Ellen (new)

Ellen | 3582 comments A very rare DNF for me.


message 11: by Robin P (last edited Mar 11, 2022 08:19AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Robin P | 6103 comments I loved this book on audio. I think the narration was a big part of it. Every time the main character said "Oh my Gawd!" it cracked me up. Yes, it's very over the top, also way out of line with today's sensibilities (for instance the idea of recruiting all gay soldiers because they would be fixing up their uniforms instead of fighting.) If you didn't finish it you didn't miss anything, it doesn't change except to get more outrageous. I wouldn't say it deserved a Pulitzer though.


back to top