One of the most tragic stories of 20th century literature is John Kennedy Toole. While his eventual publications would suggest redemption, the fact that each of his two novels were released long after his passing only helps to reflect how everyone's voice is not fully appreciated within one's lifetime. A lot of his acclaim came with his second completed novel but first published "A Confederacy of Dunces." With an impeccable depiction of New Orleans subcultures, it was considered one of the essential novels of its time. It makes sense that interest would inspire his other novel to go to print, even if it feels very much like the work of a teenage author still finding his voice.
Toole wrote "The Neon Bible" when he was 19. While the prose within itself is above average for a writer, it's still reflective of someone trying to find their voice. In a lot of ways it pales in comparison to his later work, though that may just be attributed to how popular it became. Meanwhile, "The Neon Bible" is a work that ambitiously reflects the rebelliousness of a teenager taking shots at the world around him. The title refers to how neon signs can hypnotize people into believing that consumerism is a religion. With a crime story that develops with bittersweet revelations, the results capture Toole's attention to detail as he brings this world to life. However, his inexperience means that the fluidity of making the world feel lived in doesn't have quite the same ease nor does it land with as many memorable scenes. In a greater career, this would've been the start to something more prolific. Instead, it's a look into what could've been.
Over the chapters, the reader is presented with a world of straightforward conflict. Along with a dysfunctional family narrative, the results feature basic sacrifices and resolutions that need to be made to keep things afloat. There's economic struggles and a sense of hope in false idols. While Toole was critical of the world he wrote about, it doesn't come with nearly as much nuance as it could've. The results feel at best like a chance to create a world that he enjoys observing. The amount of time he dedicates to the patois of characters and the celebration of music are his real gifts here, and it makes it easy to see the greater potential. What he's alluding to is exciting and unique. There is a desire to want to be in that world.
As the work of a teenager, it's downright impressive how well he plays with genre technique and action beats. His ability to create something organic and lived in allows for the story to continually evolve with curiosity. What it lacks in surprise it more than makes up for in small moments. By emphasizing them, the reader gets a sense of what will ultimately interest him later on. With that said, the greater humor and personality is not fully there and it's difficult to call this the work of a prodigy. It's at best the first step towards understanding the potential of a greater voice. It's definitely not a waste of a legacy, but when it's so small one can't help but scrutinize.
Unlike "A Confederacy of Dunces," there's little about "The Neon Bible" that felt destined to appeal to wide audiences. It works as a slice of life novel, but it's not hitting the same highs. There's enough that feels like a snapshot, but as an author he feels limited by his skills. The characters rarely feel recognizable or timeless. It's a novel that does enough right for the plot it's telling, but one can't help but wonder what could've been had Toole been provided the success he deserved in life. These two novels reflect someone with a lot to offer. Unfortunately, everyone realized it a bit too late to give him a victory lap of a third novel.
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