Journey to the End of the Night and Death on the Installment Plan stand as monumental achievements in the literary canon, sculpted by the provocative pen of Louis-Ferdinand Céline. These two novels, towering in their influence and artistry, have generated considerable debate about their individual merits, yet a consensus recognizes their profound impact on the evolution of the modern novel. Céline's audacious narrative style and thematic depth have drawn praise and acknowledgment from literary figures such as Alain Robbe-Grillet, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Jean Genet, who have all cited him as a pivotal influence. His imprint can even be traced in the works of North American luminaries like William Burroughs, Joseph Heller, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Upon its original release, Death on the Installment Plan stirred controversy with its raw depiction of Parisian life, brimming with vulgar language and unsettling imagery. While many reviewers recoiled from its harsh portrayal of the lower class, others hailed it as a masterpiece of genius. Post-World War II, Céline's reputation suffered due to his controversial political affiliations, specifically his anti-Semitic, pro-Nazi sentiments. Despite this, contemporary critics have revisited his works with a renewed lens, recognizing Céline as a forerunner in literary innovation during the twentieth century.

Céline's groundbreaking approach in these novels, especially in Death on the Installment Plan, challenges readers to confront the grim realities of society. Employing a telegraphic and elliptical style, he captures the tumultuous emotional landscapes and frenetic thoughts of his characters. Through this technique, known as "les trois points," Céline effectively conveys urgency and intensity, pushing the boundaries of traditional narrative structure. His use of Parisian argot and everyday speech resonates with authenticity, transforming the obscene into a form of poetic expression.

Delving into the subconscious, Céline adopts a hallucinatory and delirious narrative perspective, shattering conventional storytelling with a free-flowing, non-linear plot. His novels discard the rigid cause-and-effect formula, embracing a digressive and meandering structure that mirrors the chaotic nature of human experience. In doing so, Céline not only redefined the art of novel writing but also provided a raw and unflinching lens through which readers could witness the darker aspects of the human condition.