Who is Vernon Thaxter from Boy's Life and what is their importance? Boy's_Life_(novel) English & Literature Vernon Thaxter | Boy's Life

Vernon Thaxter is the son of the wealthiest man in town. He once wanted to be a writer despite his father's disapproval, and he even published a book. The publishers, however, talked Vernon into changing the book to fit their market, a change that caused the book to not sell well. As a result, Vernon had a mental breakdown and was brought home, where he can often be seen walking through town naked. Vernon does have a clear mind, however, when it comes to observing the people in town. Over the course of the novel, Vernon gives Cory important insight into the killer of the mystery man in Saxon's Lake. His information helps Cory identify the murderer.