The Neon Bible by John Kennedy Toole Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Neon Bible
Book Review: Nothing like "Confederacy"
Summary: 5 Stars
While this book is nothing like Toole's CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES, it is nevertheless, a great read. Comparisons have been made that Jackson McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD is like a combination of Toole's books in that it combines the slow "country" feeling of NEON BIBLE, with the past-paced, rollicking and colorful Southern "city" of DUNCES. I'm not sure about the comparison but I do know I like all three books.NEON BIBLE is slower than DUNCES and while you'll recognize Toole's humor and wit, there's an element of the slapstick missing. Also, if you know Toole's history and what eventually happened to him (suicide), this book will have all the more meaning for you. Actually, I'm more reminded of Robbins with his EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES or other works of his with regards to Toole's style and wit. Dark humor, and underlying sadness, and yet very funny and knowing, like Pychon, NEON BIBLE is full of depth and insight. It's not a mature work (condiser when Toole wrote it) but it holds up against some of the other things out there being passed off as books nowadays.
I'd recommend NEON BIBLE for anyone who like DUNCES and for anyone interested in the sad, short life of John Kennedy Toole.
Enjoy.
Book Review: Nothing to get excited about
Summary: 3 Stars
I would recommend this book only to the most avid fans of John Kennedy Toole. This story, written when the author was only 16, tells of a young man growing up in war years and the hardships he encounters in his lifetime. The plot itself is interesting at a very basic level and the characters are not developed as fully as they are in Confederacy, though I would call the story entertaining. It's not the story that is amazing, but rather that it was written by a 16 year-old. It is worth reading only to get a vague idea of the origins of the genius who wrote Confederacy. Otherwise, I wouldn't expect much.Book Review: Of itself
Summary: 5 Stars
In and of itself, this book is wonderful; pure and honest prose. What is truly amazing beyond the pithy language is the fact that a 16 year old wrote it. We all know the author for his fantastically famous C.O.D., and for those of us who love that book, this book is a treasure. An insight. Clearly, this author had many "voices" and at the age of 16, his "voice" was quite different. And quite wonderful. Having read both books many times, I still can't believe the same author write them. What a person of such enormous depth he must have been. And how tragic that he never got to experience the praise that was eventually lavished upon him. Priase he so fully deserved.Book Review: Pain, redeemed
Summary: 5 Stars
John K. Toole's brilliance is probably more evident in this short novel written when he was 16 (or younger!) than in COD. Highly recommended for all adults who were children once.Book Review: Thank God, Another Toole Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Of course, I like most read "Confederacy" and fell in love with Ignatius. I was sadly under the impression from the forward in that book that "Confederacy" was all there is.Then I heard of "The Neon Bible".
I'm so glad I didn't read its forward first because I read it not know it was written when he was 16. I think I would've been less open minded. I simply enjoyed the novel for what it was and loved every page.
I certainly, like all of you, would love to have more from this genius, but two is better than one.