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John Kennedy Toole's first novel, The Neon Bible, was written at the age of only 16. Its main appeal is as an interesting look at a writer who would later reach great heights with A Confederacy of Dunces. Although the plot is improbably melodramatic, and the book was obviously written by a sixteen year old, it shows great promise, and in portions suprising insight and maturity.
The plot deals with a young man named David, growing up in rural Louisiana, and gradually learning of religious, racial, social and sexual bigotry.
The influence of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire is evident in some of the dialogue.
Toole thought it too juvenile a writing attempt to submit for publication during his life. It was published posthumously in 1989.
The Movie
In 1998 a movie of the book was released. The film "The Neon Bible" was directed by Terence Davies, with a screenplay by Terence Davies based on Toole's novel.
The cast includes Drake Bell, Leo Burmester, Denis Leary, Peter McRobbie, Gena Rowlands, Diana Scarwid, and Jacob Tierney.
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