""A Confederacy of Dunces"" is a comedic novel by John Kennedy Toole that centers around Ignatius J. Reilly, an eccentric and largely unlikable man who causes chaos in New Orleans. With its larger-than-life protagonist, the novel explores themes of social disconnection, personal identity, and the absurdities of life. Through Ignatius’s interactions with the colorful cast of characters, the book presents a biting commentary on society, making it a beloved work of Southern literature and dark comedy.