The Neon Bible vs World's fair: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Boys, Bildungsromans, Fiction

Cover of The Neon Bible

The Neon Bible John Kennedy Toole · 1989 ★★★★☆ 3.8 176 pages · ≈ 3 h 16 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of World's fair

World's fair E. L. Doctorow · 1985 ★★★★☆ 3.9 288 pages · ≈ 5 h 20 m · Light Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Neon Bible is the quicker read — about 3 hours vs 5 for World's fair.
World's fair is the easier read (Light), The Neon Bible more demanding (Moderate).

Side by side