Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole is our New School Classic Group Read for January 2023.

This is the No Spoiler Thread
The Spoiler Thread will open on January 1, 2023.

This early posting of the No Spoiler thread is to discuss any non-plot issues pertaining to the book.

Appropriate Posts can contain:
1. Information about the author.
2. Compare editions/translations.
3. Any historical or background information
4. Are you familiar with this author’s work? Do you have any expectations going into the book?
5. What made you decide to read this book?
6. Any fan fiction that you have read or would like to read? Just link the books.
7. If you loved the book and want others to share in that experience, use this thread to motivate others, again save plot specifics for the Spoiler thread
8. If you hated the book, it would be best to keep that for the spoiler page

The most important thing to remember is no plot discussion. Any post that contains plot information or spoilers will be deleted.

I have read this book in the 2000s and the 2010s. Time to reread.
I spent time in New Orleans in the 1980s. This book describes a New Orleans that was described to me and that I visited, a New Orleans I delighted in.

The big thing that works for me when reading this novel: New Orleans is a party town with various social groups that interact with some ease, more here/less there.

I really haven't even had this one on my radar, so I have no expectations.

And I had no idea there is a companion cookbook: A Confederacy of Dunces Cookbook: Recipes from Ignatius J. Reilly's New Orleans by Cynthia Lejeune Nobles

The main character is one of the most unlikeable characters ever written, and he is supposed to be that way. People who must love their characters or feel sympathetic for them might struggle with this book. For me, I am the type of reader who can laugh at my disgust and the craziness of a character like this. Looking forward to the read!

Katy wrote: "I really haven't even had this one on my radar, so I have no expectations."

Same here. But it is on the 1001-books list, so I will give it a try.

Is he unlikable? Perhaps. I just like laughing at his overthinking self. Overthinking is an understatement.

Katy that cookbook sounds like fun. Let us know if you try any of the recipes!

It seems that all my friends have either given this 1-2 or 5 stars. Not sure I will try it but maybe. I have friends that I usually agree with on both sides of the barrier; so it seems like it's probably a matter of taste? Maybe in whether or not they appreciate the humor?

I think this is a perfect group for a book read. Something g polarizing where the 1 star reviews are as frequent as the 5 star reviews. It makes for great conversation.

J_BlueFlower wrote: "...Same here. But it is on the 1001-books list, so I will give it a try."

Absolutely!

Paula W wrote: "... It makes for great conversation."

Yes, a good conversation is what we need for January to get our reading going again.

I laughed so hard in 2 or 3 places that my family feared for my sanity

The first time I read the book, I did not understand the humor. It took a friend encouraging me to reread before the humor rang out. And then I reread again immediately. One reread was not enough.