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mindsplinters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I haven't read any Ellroy in a while and totally forgot how raw and abso-freakin-lutely violent and crude his books can get. I also forgot what a big theme obsession can play in his books. Seriously, there is a lot of it here. Mind you, I'm a true crime fan and have done plenty of reading on the actual historical Black Dahlia (including Hodel's book) which is probably why this book ended up on my shelves ages ago. But a little Ellroy goes a long way so it went unread for equal ages. It's actually an interesting conceit, building a tale of obsession and love and hate and corruption and facades around the case and Ellroy has a talent for making you loathe some of his characters. Equally as talented at presenting you with a character that you want to root for because they make your heart hurt... but they are so gosh darn flawed and such a mess that rooting for them feels a bit illegal.
Enter Bucky and Lee and Kay and all sorts of other reprobates. Very noir, very period accurate, very on-tone with the set-dressing and dialogue, and a very thorough romp down the spiral with your guest host, Bucky. It's fascinating like a car wreck is fascinating.
To be honest, the only character I would feel safe in a room alone with is Russ Millard. What an absolute sweetheart.
Enter Bucky and Lee and Kay and all sorts of other reprobates. Very noir, very period accurate, very on-tone with the set-dressing and dialogue, and a very thorough romp down the spiral with your guest host, Bucky. It's fascinating like a car wreck is fascinating.
To be honest, the only character I would feel safe in a room alone with is Russ Millard. What an absolute sweetheart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, and Drug use
calbehrendt's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Death, Racial slurs, Gore, and Infidelity
Minor: Rape and Suicide
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