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anotherbooklady's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
There’s nothing new I can say that hasn’t already been said as someone who disliked this book, while understanding that there are those who love this book.
I read it.
I didn’t like it.
The end.
I read it.
I didn’t like it.
The end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
alaskanlad's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really wanted to like this book but it was just so easy to put down despite being an easy read. The characters are grating and the plot is ludicrous, and though this was obviously intentional, that doesn’t make it easier to swallow. The stakes just didn’t matter to me because it was so difficult to care about Ignatius or anyone in his life when they were so one-dimensional and pathetic. That being said, I enjoyed learning a bit about New Orleans of that era and Toole presciently skewered a specific type of loser incel that has become all too prevalent these days.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Abortion
mirrorbug's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is only my first read through and this is definitely a book I think that gets better as you read it again and again. As I read it, I felt like I understood it more and want to go through the whole book again.
One thing I think should be noted about this book is there are no heroes. You'll very often hear characters say/do something really awful (spoiler:ignatius), but everyone in this book is meant to be awful in their own unique way. This is the least true for the few gay characters in the book. I don't know what to make of them, they're fairly offensive, but there's a reason they're there.
I think this book is enjoyable for everyone, but I think this book would be especially entertaining to those who particularly well-read and/or used to academic environments. The book is structured like "On Consolation of Philosophy," which I have not read, but I wonder how much it having read that would impact my enjoyment of this book.
In the best way possible, Ignatius is unbearable. Side note: I started noting everytime Ignatius says/does something I have seen unironically from some catholic on twitter, it is an incredible experiment.
Burma Jones is definitely my favorite character in the whole story. He was a lot of fun to read and I was very invested in him.
I did not care for the fucking levys and the exercise board.
If I ever come across a soda called "Dr. Nut," I am going to run as far away as possible.
Fantastic book. It is ridiculous and hilarious.
One thing I think should be noted about this book is there are no heroes. You'll very often hear characters say/do something really awful (spoiler:ignatius), but everyone in this book is meant to be awful in their own unique way. This is the least true for the few gay characters in the book. I don't know what to make of them, they're fairly offensive, but there's a reason they're there.
I think this book is enjoyable for everyone, but I think this book would be especially entertaining to those who particularly well-read and/or used to academic environments. The book is structured like "On Consolation of Philosophy," which I have not read, but I wonder how much it having read that would impact my enjoyment of this book.
In the best way possible, Ignatius is unbearable. Side note: I started noting everytime Ignatius says/does something I have seen unironically from some catholic on twitter, it is an incredible experiment.
Burma Jones is definitely my favorite character in the whole story. He was a lot of fun to read and I was very invested in him.
I did not care for the fucking levys and the exercise board.
If I ever come across a soda called "Dr. Nut," I am going to run as far away as possible.
Fantastic book. It is ridiculous and hilarious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Xenophobia
mlewis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Xenophobia, Dementia, and Classism
Minor: War