Duddy Kravitz, a relentless and ambitious young man in Montreal, initiates a series of increasingly desperate schemes to acquire land and secure his status as a person of consequence. Driven by the mantra that a man without land is a nobody, Duddy navigates the social and economic landscape of mid-twentieth-century Montreal. He balances his familial obligations with his own ruthless pursuit of wealth, often alienating those closest to him through his deceitful tactics. The narrative follows his progression from a mischievous student to a calculating entrepreneur, highlighting the moral compromises inherent in his ascent. The story is presented through a third-person perspective that maintains a satirical distance from its protagonist's frantic activities.

Discussion often centers on the polarizing nature of Duddy Kravitz, who is frequently analyzed as both a sympathetic victim of his environment and a reprehensible opportunist. Readers highlight the effectiveness of Richler's satirical prose in exposing the absurdity of the social ladder. Critics often point to the balance between the comedic pacing of Duddy's schemes and the underlying melancholy of his isolation. The novel is frequently cited for its authentic portrayal of the Jewish immigrant experience in Canada during the post-war era. Many readers note that the book remains a significant study of the human cost associated with the relentless drive for success.