A Confederacy of Dunces

by John Kennedy Toole
A Confederacy of Dunces cover
Good Books rating 3.77
Comedy/Humor
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
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Technical
  • ID: 5518
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780141023465
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Published: 2006-01-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

A Confederacy of Dunces introduces readers to the eccentric and unforgettable Ignatius J. Reilly, a self-proclaimed genius who roams the streets of New Orleans in a pirate costume, armed with a hot-dog cart and a mission to combat the vices of modernity. Written with sharp wit and satirical flair, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a brilliant comedy that captures the absurdities of life and society through the eyes of its larger-than-life protagonist. /n/n The novel's humor and social commentary are as relevant today as they were when first published, offering a timeless exploration of human nature and the struggle between individuality and conformity. Ignatius's misadventures and his interactions with a colorful cast of characters make for a hilarious and thought-provoking read that has cemented its place as a classic of American literature.

Reviews
RR Horton Blog · 2022-10-08
funny 4.00

The novel is extremely funny and offensive in an innocent way. The character of Ignatius is both brilliant and flawed.

RR Horton Blog's review praises A Confederacy of Dunces for its humor and brilliant characterization. The novel is described as extremely funny, with Ignatius' views and rants being offensive yet oddly innocent. The reviewer appreciates the novel's wit and intelligence but also acknowledges its flaws, particularly in its portrayal of Ignatius. The novel's humor and character development are seen as its strongest points, but the reviewer also notes that it can be a challenging read due to its unapologetic satire.

Quick quotes

    The novel is extremely funny throughout.

    Is it offensive? Well, objectively, Ignatius' views and rants are offensive, though in an oddly innocent way.

    The character of Ignatius is both brilliant and flawed.

The Public Discourse · 2021-07-19
cautionary 3.80

The novel is a cautionary tale of a seriously bad reader. It's so funny that most people just enjoy the ride.

The Public Discourse's review highlights A Confederacy of Dunces as a cautionary tale of a seriously bad reader. The novel is described as so funny that most people just enjoy the ride without thinking too deeply about its themes. The reviewer appreciates the novel's humor and wit but also notes that it can be a challenging read due to its unapologetic satire. The novel's character development and plot are seen as its strongest points, but the reviewer also acknowledges its flaws, particularly in its portrayal of Ignatius.

Quick quotes

    It's also a cautionary tale of a seriously bad reader.

    John Kennedy Toole's novel is so funny that most people just enjoy the ride, not thinking about its themes.

    The novel's character development and plot are seen as its strongest points.

The Guardian · 2017-06-20
complex 3.50

The novel is seen as a reactionary satire, critiqued for its unchanging worldview. The humor and critique are intertwined, making it a complex read.

The Guardian's review delves into the reactionary satire of A Confederacy of Dunces, highlighting how the novel's unchanging worldview can be seen as both a strength and a weakness. The humor is sharp and unrelenting, but it's also critiqued for its lack of development and its portrayal of a world that seems stuck in time. The reviewer appreciates the novel's wit and intelligence but also notes that it can be a challenging read due to its unapologetic satire.

Quick quotes

    John Kennedy Toole's novel has been scolded for its 'reactionary satire' of an unchanging world, which seems to get things wrong twice over.

    The novel's humor is sharp and unrelenting, but it's also critiqued for its lack of development.

    The book's portrayal of a world that seems stuck in time can be both a strength and a weakness.

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