The Neon Bible by John Kennedy Toole Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Neon Bible
Book Review: An immature work that showed promise
Summary: 3 Stars
As someone who would eventually write the brilliant A Confederacy Of Dunces, it is understandable why Toole did not want this book to be published. While it is admirable that Toole was only 16 when he wrote it, The Neon Bible bears no resemblance to what he would write later in his life, and I can't say I found it to be an enjoyable book.
This book is earnest and humorless. It's written in a straightforward but dull manner, with the narrator/main character himself displaying little personality. He describes the things happening around him, but often does so in a sort of beating-around-the-bush sort of way. It struck me as a sort of misguided attempt of "show, don't tell." Another example of immature writing is where the narrator, as a young child, keeps referring to his classmates as "little boys." I don't think children actually refer to their peers as "little" - rather, everyone else is big. Even when we're older, we don't refer to our previous elementary school classmates as "little" boys or girls.
If you like innocent coming-of-age stories, you might enjoy this. If you liked A Confederacy Of Dunces, you might enjoy this only as a curiosity, but I wouldn't recommend it to you. Toole apparently knew this wasn't a great book, and I have to agree with that. However, it is an excellent effort from a young author.
Book Review: An inside look at the author - dull and slow in itself
Summary: 3 Stars
I enjoyed Confederacy of Dunces quite a bit, and was intrigued by this author's life. It is amazing that a sixteen year old could produce such a work. While I enjoyed reading the Neon Bible because I felt I was somehow getting to know an author I found mysterious, I would not recommend this book to a friend. What it lacks in plot, it does make up for in language, but is admittedly slow, and dreary. But to someone that loved Confederacy of Dunces, and was interested in learning more about the spirit of Toole, this is a great place to start. It's just a shame he only has two published works.Book Review: An outsiders' tale
Summary: 4 Stars
A young boy is riding a train...
A young boy named David lives with his parents during a very poor time, around the time of The Great Depression. His mother is feeble, and his father is a frustrated, poor man who feels the pressure of providing for his family. Shortly after the beginning of the story, his Aunt Mae, who was a singer and showgirl decades ago, comes to live with them.
The town in which he lives is almost Puritanical; it's very narrow-minded, very religious in a backwards way. There is no other knowledge than that of the preacher and his lackeys. Because of this set up, most of the town is already opposed to, or irritated with Aunt Mae. With her fancy dresses, city attitude, and independence, she sticks out like a sore thumb. So, the family is poor, disliked, the mother is sick, the father is desperate, and the boy also has a problem; he's terribly shy and naïve around girls his age.
The boy, his mother and aunt deal with the daily problems caused by being the ostracized heathens in a moronic, bigoted, stereotypical hick town. Run-ins with local religious leaders, uppity rich folks, and pretty school girls ensue.
Problems and tragedy strikes as the family tries to make life meaningful, all the while struggling against the inevitableness of heartbreak, anguish, and the harsh decisions (and harsh consequences) life presents. Eventually, David finds himself with just as many questions as answers, and a new, difficult life ahead.
Book Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
I started out intending to read Confederacy of Dunces, but this book was much shorter, so I picked it up instead. I didn't save myself any work because it was so good that I will have no choice now but to read COD's. Toole's style of writing reminded me of John Updike, but I think this was a better first novel than Updike's Poorhouse Fair. Amazing work for an author of any age.Book Review: Classic American Literature
Summary: 5 Stars
This deserves to be named in the same class of American Literature as the work of Twain and Hemmingway. Just read it for the first time. Will read it again soon.