The story of how the book came to be published, with Toole’s mother toting his manuscript from publisher to publisher, and then from college English professor to college English professor, is almost incredible.
John Kennedy Toole was already in his grave when she set off upon her mission.
His mama finally got it published by LSU Press, when I was a proofreader there.
FWIW, there is a bronze statue of Ignatius P. Reilly on Canal Street in New Orleans, by the clock in front of the old D.H. Holmes department store. He stands there with his ear flaps on his cap flying, waiting for his mama, just like he did in the book.
The building now houses the Ritz Hotel.
The Ritz has a great dance hall on the 4th floor where Johnny Angel & the Night Cats perform & the swing dancers in zoot suits & saddle oxfords get really wild.
It’s like being in a fabulous 50s time warp.
Tooley is buried in one of the coolest cemeteries— cant remember its name— but it’s one with a lot of fantastic statuary.