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Good novel: Confederacy Of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

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calm_blue_ocean Donating Member (370 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 10:39 AM
Original message
Good novel: Confederacy Of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Edited on Thu Aug-28-03 10:42 AM by calm_blue_ocean
I just finished this novel written between 1963 and 1965 and set in New Orleans. It was a really good novel and I am surprised it is not more famous.

Confederacy... is kind of like Catch 22, One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest and Catcher In The Rye, but it is not so grim as those books.

The grim subtext: Reportedly, the author's suicide (at 31) was caused by failure to find a publisher for the book.
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LoneStarLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 10:42 AM
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1. It's An Indie Classic In Lit Circles
I picked it up completely at random seven years ago. I've re-read it four times since that first reading.

We can only thank our lucky stars that JKT's mother had an idea of what she found!
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qb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 10:45 AM
Response to Original message
2. I've read it twice.
I'll pick it up again when I want to laugh like a maniac.

I read that his mother diligently pursued publishers after his death.

There were rumors of a film in the works a couple of years ago, but I don't know what became of it. Perhaps the word "Confederacy" was too controversial for Hollywood?
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Midwest_Doc Donating Member (548 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 10:47 AM
Response to Original message
3. Another Gem from New Orleans
This book is true masterpiece! The manuscript, submitted for publication after his death, was hand-wriiten on yellow legal pads.

Isn't it interesting that so much good American literature comes from New Orleans?
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 10:58 AM
Response to Reply #3
5. Oh yeah - then won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction (1981)
...tragic that Toole did not see that. Bless his mother.
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GAspnes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 11:06 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. written on "Big Chief lndian" yellow legal pads IIRC
It's good to see this book (and other moderately obscure but well-written novels) being continually re-discovered.
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 11:13 AM
Response to Reply #6
8. It's a staff rec (by yours truly) at the B&N in NW Houston (20% off)....
For any locals who are interested....
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myrna minx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 10:53 AM
Response to Original message
4. Levy Pants Revolution!! n/t
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roughsatori Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 11:08 AM
Response to Original message
7. It is famous
The story of the publication is well known, as is the book.

In the 2 years I have been here I have read a gazillion posts about the book. (I did not like the book at all, but being a bibliophile I am compelled to read all posts regarding books.)
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nuxvomica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 12:48 PM
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9. I disturbed my fellow passengers with uproarious laughter
When I started reading it on a plane flight a few years. It was originally recommended by my conservative boss, who said it was his favorite book.

Perhaps more will discover it if the movie version gets off the ground and is a success.
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Boudicea Donating Member (452 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 12:54 PM
Response to Reply #9
10. Who would you pick to play Ignatius?
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KamaAina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 01:10 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. Someone in N.O. once recommended that I play Ignatius!
I'm not quite big enough but do have the attitude.

Someone who has the physical bulk, the talent, and even got married in N.O. is John Goodman. Plus, he has experience playing opposite imperious females: Roseanne has nothing on Ignatius' Mom!!
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calm_blue_ocean Donating Member (370 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 01:14 PM
Response to Reply #10
12. Ralphie May nt
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #10
13. Wayne Knight...
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nuxvomica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 01:56 PM
Response to Reply #10
14. Philip Seymour Hoffman
I've heard he's likely to play Ignatius and that seems a good choice to me.
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calm_blue_ocean Donating Member (370 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 02:13 PM
Response to Reply #14
16. Hoffman may not have the girth . . .
but he does have the wet eye / snuffling thing going (and such a great actor).

How about J. Garofalo as Myrna?
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qb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 02:42 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. He seems like the type who would be willing to hit the Ben & Jerry's
in order to fit the part! Anybody know the status of the movie?
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trof Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 02:09 PM
Response to Original message
15. It's in my bookcase now.
Read it several years ago. Time to reread.
Thanks for the reminder.
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masmdu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-28-03 02:49 PM
Response to Original message
18. Great Book...Being made into a Movie now
In the hand of David Gordon Green (George Washington, All the Real Girls) it should be quite interesting .

Can't wait to see it.
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