Hardcover, 346 pages
English language
Published Oct. 5, 2000 by Louisiana State University Press.
A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel by American novelist John Kennedy Toole which reached publication in 1980, eleven years after Toole's suicide. Published through the efforts of writer Walker Percy (who also contributed a foreword) and Toole's mother, Thelma, the book became first a cult classic, then a mainstream success; it earned Toole a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981, and is now considered a canonical work of modern literature of the Southern United States.The book's title refers to an epigram from Jonathan Swift's essay Thoughts on Various Subjects, Moral and Diverting: "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." Its central character, Ignatius J. Reilly, is an educated but slothful 30-year-old man living with his mother in the Uptown neighborhood of early-1960s New Orleans who, in his quest for employment, …
A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel by American novelist John Kennedy Toole which reached publication in 1980, eleven years after Toole's suicide. Published through the efforts of writer Walker Percy (who also contributed a foreword) and Toole's mother, Thelma, the book became first a cult classic, then a mainstream success; it earned Toole a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981, and is now considered a canonical work of modern literature of the Southern United States.The book's title refers to an epigram from Jonathan Swift's essay Thoughts on Various Subjects, Moral and Diverting: "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." Its central character, Ignatius J. Reilly, is an educated but slothful 30-year-old man living with his mother in the Uptown neighborhood of early-1960s New Orleans who, in his quest for employment, has various adventures with colorful French Quarter characters. Toole wrote the novel in 1963 during his last few months in Puerto Rico.
I didn’t enjoy this book and I wouldn’t recommend it.
I laughed often while reading "A Confederacy of Dunces". The absurdity and stupidity of the characters struck a joyful chord with me. I often read a book expecting to find a character or protagonist to cheer for. Not even a third way into the book, I realized every character was absurd, stupid, or both. Yet, despite their apparent stupidity and absurdity, they manage to survive and even progress, somewhat.
My original reason for reading "A Confederacy of Dunces" was because it takes place in New Orleans, LA and I had recently visited NOLA and was interested in reading fiction that takes place in my newest favorite place. While it does take place in NOLA and I recognized the locales mentioned, in the end, I really appreciated the book for its humor and wit.
I know I'm supposed to love this book, I just can't. Arrogant, self-important asses irritate me, so I was annoyed throughout the entire book. I live in New Orleans. I know these people (and they don't just live in the South). I don't want to escape into a book that forces me to encounter them even more. Took me two tries (years between) to get through it. I would recommend The Pleasure Of My Company (Steve Martin) over this any day. Similar lead character base, but with redeemable qualities.
Great performance of a great book. People may think the character of Ignatius is a little OTT but I know that guy for reals. Hilarious!
