this is my first book in the Southern Reading Challenge. It follows the trials and tribulations of gnatius J. Reilly slob, lazy and arrogant as he attempts to find and keep a job. Going into this I knew that the book was famous for both its black humor as well as its portrayal of New Orleans. I did enjoy it although I was slightly disconcerted that so many of the characters seem to be nothing more than stereotypes. In particular the treatment of homosexuals grated on me after a while. The ending seems to come out of left field like Toole couldn't come up with a conclusion.Recommended.
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4 comments:
Do you know the story of JK Toole?
His mother published the book after he killed himself being unable to cope with his sexuality. No one in the publishing world would touch the book either until she begged Walker Percy to do something.
If Toole had a little more faith in his talent maybe the book would be a little finer in quality. Was it ten years to get published? I know I could do some serious rewriting in that time period! ;D
Maybe your next book will strike a better chord! :)
Oh, my best friend hates this book! She wants to know what all the hub-bub is about, and what's up with the opening of valve thingy! ;D
The story of JKT and the publishing of Dunces is quite complex. I invite you to my blog on the Life and Death of John Kennedy Toole.
http://www.kentoole.blogspot.com/
It's been many years since I've read this, but I remember how much I loved it. It's too bad it didn't work for you.
And I do think the story behind the book is just as interesting and tragic as the book itself.
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