A Confederacy of Dunces

Before A Confederacy of Dunces I was not familiar with picaresque novels. It should surprise no one that I haven’t read much 16th and 17th Century Spanish literature.

I remember finishing The Shining and thinking, “That’s the first book I’ve ever read that actually scared me.” Well, Dunces is the first novel I’ve ever read that I felt was laugh out loud funny throughout.

The main character, Ignatius J. Reilly, is the most ridiculous character I know of but he’s also oddly relatable and sympathetic. And all of the other members of the Dunces cast are just as full and interesting.

If the primary goal of a novel is to entertain its readers then this one achieves that superbly. A Confederacy of Dunces is a great read.