A Confederacy Of Dunces
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Used
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Good/No Dust Wrapper
- Seller
-
OCEANSIDE, California, United States
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About This Item
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A.: Louisiana State Univ Pr. Good/No Dust Wrapper. 1980. 1994 13th Printing. Hard Cover. (C414) .
Synopsis
A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel written by John Kennedy Toole, published in 1980, 11 years after the author died by suicide at the age of 31. The book was published through the efforts of writer Walker Percy (who also contributed a revealing foreword) and Toole's mother, Thelma Toole. In 1981, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, granting posthumous recognition to John Kennedy Toole. The novel has since gained a cult following and is celebrated as a classic of American literature. Set in New Orleans during the 1960s, A Confederacy of Dunces revolves around the eccentric and socially awkward protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly. Ignatius is an obese, unemployed, highly educated man who lives with his overbearing mother. The novel follows Ignatius as he navigates various misadventures, often clashing with the world around him due to his pompous intellect and disdain for modern society. Ignatius is a self-proclaimed philosopher and writer who spends most of his time writing in his ever-present journal, "The Journal of a Working Boy," where he criticizes the world's perceived injustices. Ignatius's life takes an unexpected turn when his mother forces him to find a job to contribute to their finances. His misadventures in the working world lead him to cross paths with a colorful cast of characters, including his eccentric employer, a former girlfriend, a politically active barmaid, a black prostitute, and a policeman who becomes obsessed with exposing Ignatius's alleged communist activities. The novel's humor lies in the absurd situations, ironic dialogue, and the juxtaposition of Ignatius's intellectual pretensions with the realities of his daily life. Through Ignatius's escapades, the novel explores themes of societal conformity, alienation, and the clash between traditional values and modernity.
Read More: Identifying first editions of A Confederacy Of Dunces
Reviews
On Dec 7 2004, Pazzo Books said:
One of the most built up novels of all time - while it didn't fall flat on its face by any means, the build up ruins it. Extremely funny at times, but impossibly uneven. If no one has ever told you it's the best book ever, give it a try.
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Details
- Bookseller
- J. E. MILES, A BOOKSELLER
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 1812997
- Title
- A Confederacy Of Dunces
- Author
- Toole, John Kennedy
- Format/Binding
- Hard Cover
- Book Condition
- Used - Good/No Dust Wrapper
- Edition
- 1994 13th Printing
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- Louisiana State Univ Pr
- Place of Publication
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A.
- Date Published
- 1980
- Keywords
- MOTHERS, SONS, FICTION, NEW, ORLEANS
Terms of Sale
J. E. MILES, A BOOKSELLER
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
J. E. MILES, A BOOKSELLER
Biblio member since 2020
OCEANSIDE, California
About J. E. MILES, A BOOKSELLER
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