A Confederacy Of Dunces
by Toole, John Kennedy
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.
First Edition Identification
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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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A Confederacy of Dunces [First Printing with Signed Correspondence of Thelma Ducoing Toole]
by Toole, John Kennedy; Percy, Walker (Foreword)
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Rapid River, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
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A$10,775.98
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by John Kennedy Toole
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Published
- 1980
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
- Item Price
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A$139.54
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A Confederacy of Dunces: âProbably my favourite book of all timeâ Billy Connolly (Penguin Essentials, 15)
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780241951590
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
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A$3.12
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A Confederacy of Dunces: âProbably my favourite book of all timeâ Billy Connolly (Penguin Essentials, 15)
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780241951590
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- 1
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
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A$3.12
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A Confederacy of Dunces SIGNED
by John Kennedy Toole
- Condition
- Used
- Edition
- First Edition, First Printing
- Published
- 1980
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Clarence, New York, USA
- Item Price
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A$6,202.00
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- 1st Edition 3rd Printing
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
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A$1,317.92
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A Confederacy of Dunces (Essential Penguin)
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780140282689
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
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A$12.45
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by John Kennedy Toole
- Condition
- Used - Good-
- Jacket Condition
- Good-
- Edition
- First
- Published
- 1981
- Binding
- Cream boards with gold lettering to spine.
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- 1
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Cape Town, ZAF
- Item Price
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A$310.10
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A Confederacy Of Dunces
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Hoquiam, Washington, USA
- Item Price
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A$9,303.00
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by Toole, John Kennedy (Foreword By Walker Percy)
- Condition
- Used - Very Good + Book
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good + Dust Jacket
- Edition
- 1st Edition 1st Printing
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Cloth
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Pasadena, California, USA
- Item Price
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A$5,426.75
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A Confederacy of Dunces SIGNED
by John Kennedy Toole
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- Used
- Edition
- First Edition, First Printing
- Published
- 1980
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Clarence, New York, USA
- Item Price
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A$6,977.25
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Very Good+
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good+
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1980
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Portland, Oregon, USA
- Item Price
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A$6,977.25
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A Confederacy of Dunces [Second Printing in First Edition Wrapper]
by Toole, John Kennedy; Percy, Walker (Foreword)
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Rapid River, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
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A$3,488.62
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A Confederacy of Dunces [First Printing]
by Toole, John Kennedy; Percy, Walker (Foreword)
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Rapid River, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
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A$4,573.98
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A Confederacy of Dunces [First Edition, Eighth Printing]
by Toole, John Kennedy; Percy, Walker (Foreword)
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1980
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Rapid River, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
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A$387.62
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A Confederacy of Dunces: âProbably my favourite book of all timeâ Billy Connolly (Penguin Essentials, 15)
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780241951590
- Quantity Available
- 1
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
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A$3.12
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by John Kennedy Toole
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780140058895
- Quantity Available
- 1
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
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A$4.09
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Confederacy of Dunces (Penguin Modern Classics)
by John Kennedy Toole
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 2011
- ISBN
- 9780241951590
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Portsmouth, Hampshire, GBR
- Item Price
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A$19.36
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by John Kennedy Toole
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Published
- 1980
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Wake Forest , North Carolina, USA
- Item Price
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A$31.01
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by Toole, John Kennedy
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Edition Later Printing
- Published
- 1994
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780807106570
- Quantity Available
- 1
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La Mesa, California, USA
- Item Price
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A$387.62