It sounds like this book is way too obscur and dark for some readers, who should maybe stick to Oprah's book club. Admittedly it can take some time to get into, but not all books have a Davincicodesque plot and storyline. Some books are actual literature and Confederacy of Dunces falls into that category. It is definitely character driven, and although it is comedic it is also tragic. The reader is not meant to identify with Ignatius J. Reilly. He is meant to repulse us. However, he also embodies the pretention we ALL have in our own lives (yes, including myself ! - as well as other critics...) Each of us is proud and a little pretentious with regards to different aspects in our lives, and this is a point the author brings our beautifully.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, but I think people should remember that just because you don't like a character, it doesn't mean the book is bad (I can understand though how it makes us feel like it is...)