I had heard a lot about this book, and while it didn't totally live up to expectations, it was interesting and strange and worth reading. It seemed quite graphic to me, but I liked how everything seemed predestined and obvious.
Interesting story.

Deserves a five. Some lovely bits, but overwhelmingly dull/trying so hard to be quirky and touching and blah. I LOVED The Hotel New Hampshire; every John Irving I've read since seems to palely imitate the joy that gave me. However, I really respect the attitude to women expressed in Irving's work, and the exploration of issues of gender and sexuality. It's just a pity that, once again, I didn't really care for the characters, or their 'oddities'.

This book has been on my shelf for years, along with many others. I really want to read it someday!

Toole's characterization of Ignatius is indeed a brilliant portrayal of a self-centered, lazy, cynical and repulsive man, but I had a hard time finding his exploits funny. I've met people like Ignatius, and quite frankly, I want to get away from them, not indulge them as they attempt to skew the rest of the world their way. I truly despised Ignatius, and couldn't wait to finish the book to be rid of him. Although I did laugh occasionally, the comedy mostly came from Leroy Jones and his life adventures rather than Ignatius. Ignatius was mostly just repugnant to me -- just too over-the-top repulsive to be funny. And . . . he treated his mother sinfully.

This is my favorite book. It's well written and laugh out loud funny.