106 pages • 3 hours read
John Kennedy TooleA Confederacy of Dunces
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole follows the comedic misadventures of Ignatius J. Reilly, a 30-year-old educated but indolent man who lives with his mother in New Orleans in the early 1960s. After a car accident forces him to find a job, Ignatius encounters various eccentric characters including a policeman, a barmaid, and an orphan, leading to a series of farcical events and a failed workers' revolt. The book includes instances of racism, police misconduct, and sexually explicit content.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces is praised for its vibrant satire and unforgettable protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly. Critics highlight its humor and perceptive social commentary but note the eccentric characters may alienate some readers. Despite divided opinions on its pacing, it remains a unique and influential work in modern American literature.
Who Should Read A Confederacy of Dunces?
Fans of satirical comedy and eccentric characters will enjoy A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. Similar to Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, readers who appreciate absurdity, dark humor, and a blend of wit and social critique will find this novel engaging.
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