106 pages 3 hours read

John Kennedy Toole

A Confederacy of Dunces

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

A 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

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

800L

Book Details

Themes
Values/Ideas: Fate
Genre
Humor