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larry1138's review
4.0
I've played the videogame, which in itself was a spectacularly authentic look at the dark side of 1940's LA. I'm happy to say this book accomplished the same feat!
The best thing this book does is blend actual historical events (the Black Dahlia murder featured in one chapter for example) with events and characters in the videogame, though playing LA Noire is by no means a prerequisite for reading this. The stories are strong and stand out on their own without the game's context, each exposing a particular tragedy or crime through a very personal narrative. The tie-ins with the game only further the depth of your understanding of these events. Feel free to play the game and follow Detective Cole Phelps as he investigates these crimes!
Definitely recommend, particularly if you've played the game or are into crime dramas!
The best thing this book does is blend actual historical events (the Black Dahlia murder featured in one chapter for example) with events and characters in the videogame, though playing LA Noire is by no means a prerequisite for reading this. The stories are strong and stand out on their own without the game's context, each exposing a particular tragedy or crime through a very personal narrative. The tie-ins with the game only further the depth of your understanding of these events. Feel free to play the game and follow Detective Cole Phelps as he investigates these crimes!
Definitely recommend, particularly if you've played the game or are into crime dramas!
unabridgedchick's review
4.0
I was very dubious about this collection, which was released as part of a tie-in to a video game. I'm not a gamer but I do love noir, so I sprung for the e-book when I saw the authors featured (Megan Abbott, Lawrence Block, Joe R. Lansdale, Joyce Carol Oates, Francine Prose, Jonathan Santlofer, Duane Swierczynski and Andrew Vachss). At worst, I figured it would be a gathering of previous published work, some of which might be new to me. Thankfully, happily, entertained-for-three-nights-ly, I was wrong!
The stories are originals, contributed specifically to this collection, which is exciting. Two or three feature characters from the video game, but I didn't find that a hindrance in the slightest (in fact, I didn't notice save for the Introduction telling me which had 'em). I enjoyed most of the stories, but the standout winners for me were Lawrence Block's "See the Woman" and Duane Swierczynski's "Hell of an Affair". "Black Dahlia & White Rose" by Joyce Carol Oates felt done as did Francine Prose's "School for Murder", but I'm also not a huge fan of either writer, so that could be why I wasn't impressed. The rest of the stories were good -- high on ambiance, a hint of violence and sex, enough punch to stick with you for the day.
I don't think hardcore noir fans will love this collection, but there are one or two stories that I think stand out. Certainly, as an introduction to many of today's top crime and mystery writers, this is a good start. From what I understand, playing the video game doesn't spoil any of these stories (nor do they spoil the game's storyline) but it might enhance the gameplay for those who really enjoy the feel of the setting. For everyone else, if you want a little gritty 1940s L.A. in your day (and who doesn't?!), consider this as a quick pick-me-up on a grey evening or smoky morning.
The stories are originals, contributed specifically to this collection, which is exciting. Two or three feature characters from the video game, but I didn't find that a hindrance in the slightest (in fact, I didn't notice save for the Introduction telling me which had 'em). I enjoyed most of the stories, but the standout winners for me were Lawrence Block's "See the Woman" and Duane Swierczynski's "Hell of an Affair". "Black Dahlia & White Rose" by Joyce Carol Oates felt done as did Francine Prose's "School for Murder", but I'm also not a huge fan of either writer, so that could be why I wasn't impressed. The rest of the stories were good -- high on ambiance, a hint of violence and sex, enough punch to stick with you for the day.
I don't think hardcore noir fans will love this collection, but there are one or two stories that I think stand out. Certainly, as an introduction to many of today's top crime and mystery writers, this is a good start. From what I understand, playing the video game doesn't spoil any of these stories (nor do they spoil the game's storyline) but it might enhance the gameplay for those who really enjoy the feel of the setting. For everyone else, if you want a little gritty 1940s L.A. in your day (and who doesn't?!), consider this as a quick pick-me-up on a grey evening or smoky morning.
thekarpuk's review
3.0
I've come to feel that Noir has more of a cool factor than it really deserves. People, especially authors, have a tendency to drop the term all too readily.
But when you get down to it, the snappy patter and stylized writing style is all that really separates in from the crime fiction your mother reads when she's bored.
The only stories that truly stuck out for me were the ones that attempted to show a slice of life from the era. It's more interesting to me to read about the struggles of an actress or the difficulties of a beat cop dealing with spousal abuse than to read the typical noir formula of the guy in over his head with criminals.
With some of these stories the style feels more like an affectation than a sincere effort. The hard-boiled style is just a Halloween costume they can throw over their writing for a while as a lark.
But I still liked it better than the game's story. Honestly, it's so frustrating to control a character so vastly dumber about figuring out serial murderers and arsonists than the average player. If it wasn't for the ability to drive around old-time Los Angeles I wouldn't have even bothered.
So yeah, I got this book for free, so at least the price was right.
But when you get down to it, the snappy patter and stylized writing style is all that really separates in from the crime fiction your mother reads when she's bored.
The only stories that truly stuck out for me were the ones that attempted to show a slice of life from the era. It's more interesting to me to read about the struggles of an actress or the difficulties of a beat cop dealing with spousal abuse than to read the typical noir formula of the guy in over his head with criminals.
With some of these stories the style feels more like an affectation than a sincere effort. The hard-boiled style is just a Halloween costume they can throw over their writing for a while as a lark.
But I still liked it better than the game's story. Honestly, it's so frustrating to control a character so vastly dumber about figuring out serial murderers and arsonists than the average player. If it wasn't for the ability to drive around old-time Los Angeles I wouldn't have even bothered.
So yeah, I got this book for free, so at least the price was right.
chloeimogen's review
4.0
Actually really good for a 99 cent video game tie-in (a video game that I love, but I confess I wasn't expecting much anyway). I especially loved the stories from Megan Abbott and Joyce Carol Oates!
merkaba's review
2.0
This collection is pretty sparse when it comes to action packed noir stories. Many of the stories fall flat and left me wondering what the point of the narrative was.
The only redeeming feature is that I didn't have to pay for this.
Avoid this.
The only redeeming feature is that I didn't have to pay for this.
Avoid this.
mizzelle's review
3.0
L.A. Noire: Collected Stories was a short story anthology released to coincide with the LA Noire game with stories by various crime and fiction writers. The best ones felt like noir -- inevitable and twisted. I particularly liked Megan Abbott's creepy description of a Hollywood party in "The Girl" or how Francine Prose turned the Method acting to the extreme in "School for Murder". Weirdest story had to be Joyce Carol Oates' "Black Dahlia & White Rose" mixing two very different Hollywood icons in a stream of conscious jumble.
knowledgelost's review
2.0
I expected a lot more from this, than what I got; but it was free, so I won't complain. The game has a good story line and I was hoping for a bit more of that, but this felt too rushed
prationality's review
4.0
Prelim Review: My father and I are currently playing the L.A. Noire game, of which this draws its inspiration from. We're Noir fans in general, were excited for the game and I was excited for these short stories from some of crime fiction's leading names.
Well sort of.
The editor's note, from Charles Ardai, really got me thinking. I love Raymond Chandler, I love noir films, but I don't love mysteries per say. Or crime fiction. Its all about the characters and its not often I feel drawn in during mysteries. Just so was it in this collection for me.
Full review to be posted at Poisoned Rationality
Well sort of.
The editor's note, from Charles Ardai, really got me thinking. I love Raymond Chandler, I love noir films, but I don't love mysteries per say. Or crime fiction. Its all about the characters and its not often I feel drawn in during mysteries. Just so was it in this collection for me.
Full review to be posted at Poisoned Rationality
inlibrisveritas's review
3.0
It seems I'm one of the rare few that pretty much hated most of this book. In truth I think my actual rating is 2.5 not a 3. Thankfully each story was short so I knew I could finish it but I wish I could have finished it faster so it would have been over. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the video game, but these stories were just difficult to follow at times. A few of them were good and I enjoyed them but most had me wondering what the heck the narrator was yapping about. Just glad it's over so I can move on to something else.
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