A Confederacy of Dunces

Paperback, 394 pages

English language

Published July 15, 1994 by Grove Press.

ISBN:
978-0-8021-3020-4
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
44430458

View on OpenLibrary

View on Inventaire

4 stars (124 reviews)

A Confederacy of Dunces is an American comic masterpiece. John Kennedy Toole's hero is one Ignatius J. Reilly, "huge, obese, fractious, fastidious, a latter-day Gargantua, a Don Quixote of the French Quarter. His story bursts with wholly original characters, denizens of New Orleans' lower depths, incredibly true-to-life dialogue, and the zaniest series of high and low comic adventures." (back cover)

50 editions

Review of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Interesting read with an overall very amusing story. Much of the book is intentionally weird or uncomfortable, which I can appreciate, but some of it doesn't add any value or thoughtfulness. I think it's good to read a compelling and bizarre book sometimes, but I don't think this is a must-read for anyone.

Review of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

"Oh, my valve!"

It took me around 50 pages to get my bearings but as soon as I did, humor and brilliance burst forth exponentially. This is the funniest book I have ever read.

Ignatius Reilly's overly dramatic turns of phrase are so good I need to make a reference list so I can incorporate them into my own habits. Gems like: "they are an affront to theology and geometry;" "Apparently I lack some particular perversion which today's employer is seeking;" and "Canned food is a perversion. I suspect that it is ultimately very damaging to the soul."

There are so many more but turns of phrase are only one reason I loved this book. The plotting is the other. Toole seamlessly plotted a small community of storylines in a way I haven't seen before. It was inspiring!

Not only do I highly recommend anyone read this but this one …

Review of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This superb novel combines a wacky yet tight plot, a dialogue-driven narrative, a Twain-caliber ear for dialect, and an economy of unique characters and settings in such a way that it reads like a stage production or maybe a Wes Anderson movie. The absurd adventures of Ignatius Reilly are truly funny, yet kind of depressing at the same time. Indeed, through the colossally pathetic presence of the anti-protagonist and his supporting cast, we are treated to a series of episodes that, in addition to entertaining us, entreat us to consider the futility of existence, and the possibility that we're overthinking it.

Review of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Oh dear! This book has been recommended to me so many times by my goodreads friends, more than any other book. Alas I found it dull, I really couldn't see what the fuss was, most of the book is dull with a few funny bits. I think even the author found it hard going too as the last chapter is called "The final chapter" maybe he was relieved to get to the end.

I can see what was attempted here, a modern day take on Don Quixote. Ignatious certainly comes across as a super arrogant version. He is a brilliant character, some wonderful delusional lines, and as with Don Quixote I felt a tad guilty laughing at him as it is obvious he has issues.

The rest of the characters suck, Mrs Levy, the Mum and Santa are so whiney, I started to get sick of them each time they …

Review of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

For a book written in 1963, the Confederacy of Dunces has aged surprisingly little. Sure, the references to life in New Orleans are dated, but the characters are timeless. While a modern version of Ignatious J. Reilly would be more comfortable with blogging than writing tablets, he could as well be a highly-paid political commentator, searching for the next thing to be offended by. And while there are plenty of other dunces in the book, none of them are as entertainingly venomous as him.

Review of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Another NoLa theme read. I have to say that I didn't find it as hilarious as advertised. But I did do quite of bit of amused smiling. The main character has no redeeming qualities, but you find yourself rooting for him anyway. Most of the characters are pretty awful people, although I think the men come off a bit better than the women. And the author probably should have steered clear of trying to depict the gay community. But he clearly hung out with some anarchist/radical/activist types. Cause he skewers us pretty good.

avatar for jectoons

rated it

4 stars
avatar for johnke

rated it

4 stars
avatar for wdhertog

rated it

4 stars
avatar for pivic

rated it

4 stars
avatar for lucasrizoli

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Moorlock

rated it

3 stars
avatar for seabelis

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Qwaint

rated it

5 stars
avatar for mishari

rated it

3 stars
avatar for rainer

rated it

4 stars
avatar for maxbittker

rated it

3 stars
avatar for CafeAvian

rated it

3 stars
avatar for cos

rated it

4 stars
avatar for newmanth

rated it

3 stars
avatar for tagomago

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Izaro

rated it

5 stars
avatar for xaviju

rated it

4 stars
avatar for morachimo

rated it

5 stars
avatar for calicozack

rated it

4 stars
avatar for cmonster

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ngs

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ianbishop

rated it

3 stars
avatar for j6m8

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Ekdguitar

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Mduritz@lectura.social

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Wagburger

rated it

5 stars
avatar for drakakis

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ironicsans

rated it

4 stars
avatar for gerwitz

rated it

4 stars
avatar for knizer

rated it

1 star
avatar for jbeimler

rated it

3 stars
avatar for fabriek

rated it

3 stars
avatar for ItsGG

rated it

1 star
avatar for vincekd

rated it

5 stars
avatar for WearyMads

rated it

5 stars
avatar for hagen

rated it

4 stars
avatar for yallah110

rated it

5 stars
avatar for pithypants

rated it

3 stars
avatar for bion

rated it

3 stars
avatar for shithead

rated it

3 stars
avatar for mattmerk

rated it

2 stars
avatar for emarsh

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Realgnomidad

rated it

4 stars
avatar for tremain

rated it

3 stars
avatar for fighting

rated it

3 stars
avatar for boogah

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Acton007

rated it

5 stars
avatar for byroon

rated it

2 stars
avatar for YoursTrulee

rated it

5 stars
avatar for krisrex

rated it

4 stars
avatar for howardbatey

rated it

5 stars
avatar for BobQuasit

rated it

5 stars
avatar for gadabyte

rated it

5 stars
avatar for acaleyn

rated it

4 stars
avatar for TimmyMac

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Skedaddle

rated it

5 stars
avatar for hollypocket

rated it

4 stars
avatar for rufzerg666

rated it

2 stars
avatar for Shack70

rated it

4 stars
avatar for n-gons

rated it

4 stars
avatar for OffbeatPulse

rated it

3 stars
avatar for jimfl

rated it

3 stars
avatar for facundo

rated it

2 stars
avatar for zicklepop@books.nyan.lol

rated it

5 stars
avatar for WarmRegards

rated it

3 stars
avatar for LiminalFlares

rated it

4 stars
avatar for V171

rated it

4 stars
avatar for spacewrangler

rated it

4 stars
avatar for MrKurtz

rated it

5 stars
avatar for rototrav

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ixnu

rated it

4 stars
avatar for CaerBannog

rated it

5 stars
avatar for ThomD

rated it

5 stars
avatar for mivade

rated it

3 stars
avatar for sorinb

rated it

4 stars
avatar for snigor

rated it

4 stars
avatar for flobin

rated it

4 stars
avatar for princeofspace

rated it

2 stars
avatar for jmc142

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Nikita

rated it

4 stars
avatar for braintoast

rated it

5 stars
avatar for 57Kevin

rated it

3 stars
avatar for nerd.picnic

rated it

2 stars
avatar for nosmo

rated it

5 stars
avatar for thecalchemist

rated it

3 stars
avatar for narinarinari

rated it

4 stars
avatar for fluxmind

rated it

4 stars
avatar for pivic

rated it

4 stars
avatar for PineappleButtonUp

rated it

3 stars
avatar for flancian

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Maltita@lectura.social

rated it

3 stars
avatar for jbaty

rated it

2 stars
avatar for VEMPHaHa

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Luke@bookrastinating.com

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Jameson

rated it

2 stars
avatar for Bridgman

rated it

5 stars

Subjects

  • Mothers and sons -- Fiction
  • Young men -- Fiction
  • New Orleans (La.) -- Fiction

Lists