Tokenized Misery

Published in 1975, 'Without Feathers' is a comedic collection by Woody Allen that includes essays, short stories, and two one-act plays titled 'God' and 'Death. ' The book is known for its absurd humor, sharp wit, and philosophical themes, reflecting Allen's neurotic sense of hopelessness and his critique of urban life and middle-class society. The title is a reference to Emily Dickinson's poem 'Hope is the thing with feathers,' highlighting Allen's humorous take on existential themes.

A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel that tells the story of Ignatius J. Reilly, an overweight, unemployed, and intellectually arrogant man living with his mother in New Orleans. The novel is a rich satire that critiques modern society through Ignatius's interactions with a diverse cast of characters, including his mother Irene, his girlfriend Myrna Minkoff, and various eccentric figures from New Orleans. Written in the early 1960s while Toole was in the army, the book was published posthumously in 1980 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981. It is celebrated for its witty and absurd portrayal of life in New Orleans and its memorable protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly.