20 greatest works of fiction about New Orleans
A Confederacy of Dunces (Cover image via Penguin)
1. A Confederacy of Dunces
How do you sum up something like A Confederacy of Dunces? It’s maybe most accurately described as a modern day Don Quixote, given that it follows the ramblings of a spectacular fool through modern-day New Orleans. Still, that doesn’t quite touch on the farcical adventures of one Ignatius J. Reilly, nor on the flawed and deeply amusing cast of characters that interact with him.
Ignatius J. Reilly has become something of a fan favorite, though he is fundamentally repulsive. Sure, Ignatius has some high-minded ways and a very academic manner of thinking. Yet, he is also filthy, having apparently skipped the hygiene lesson in health class, and a pompous jerk to boot. He lives with his mother, Irene, in a rundown section of New Orleans, mooching off of her welfare check.
After a series of misadventures leaves mother and son with a wrecked car and a serious repair bill, Ignatius is obliged to find work. Thus continues his path through New Orleans society, where he confuses co-workers, organizes a labor protest, and inadvertently becomes a small-time Larry Flynt.
Somehow, for all that Ignatius is gross and deluded, many of the people that have to deal with this hurricane of a man come out for the better. One police officer meets Reilly, falls to some serious depths, and then manages to redeem himself by the end of the novel.
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Ignatius’ mother may even have the central redemption arc (of sorts) in A Confederacy of Dunces, wherein she proves that she may not be such a dunce after all.
A Confederacy of Dunces is not a glowing portrait of New Orleans or all its people, but it ultimately loving. It’s witty and even occasionally generous. It’s the perfect satirical comedy and worthy of its 1981 Pulitzer Prize.
From the spooky to the musical to the complexity, New Orleans has inspired many a strong piece of fiction. What’s your favorite?