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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
quick and easy read. paints a nice picture of hollywood in the 1930s
Read my full thoughts over at Read.Write.Repeat.
The book made me sad, honestly. West wrote this thirty years ago and set it in the 1930s, but I think the world he was critiquing is more alive and well than ever. What I find particularly interesting is that, since the book was published, the world of Hollywood has seeped far past the boundaries of L.A. The digital revolution and success of things like social media and reality television have brought this world to every doorstep. I wonder what West would have to say now. I have a feeling a sequel or follow-up novel about modern times would be just as biting, poignant, and heartbreaking.
The book made me sad, honestly. West wrote this thirty years ago and set it in the 1930s, but I think the world he was critiquing is more alive and well than ever. What I find particularly interesting is that, since the book was published, the world of Hollywood has seeped far past the boundaries of L.A. The digital revolution and success of things like social media and reality television have brought this world to every doorstep. I wonder what West would have to say now. I have a feeling a sequel or follow-up novel about modern times would be just as biting, poignant, and heartbreaking.
Wasn’t for me. Damien Chazelle said he liked it so I read it but I guess I am just not interested in books from 1940 written basically about men doing weird shit that I’m supposed to interpret as existential or whatever, I just don’t have the energy for it I want to have fun when I’m reading
This book was a quick read in between book club books. I'm glad I read it, but also found it quite forgettable considering Goodreads had to remind me I had been reading it. A sad novel about a sad bunch with many situations and people that are are as true to life today as they were in the 1930's.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
tagging this “lighthearted” is crazy lol but it’s really good
edit: been almost a year and upon reflection this is 4 stars not 3.5. it’s made a long-lasting impression
edit: been almost a year and upon reflection this is 4 stars not 3.5. it’s made a long-lasting impression
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tarantino wishes it was this
Funny, quirkily well written, but just seemed to be going nowhere. More of a character study than a story.
You can’t help but get sad reading this and realizing how influential West was on so many portrayals of LA/Hollywood to follow (Ellroy and Barton Fink). I got the same feeling reading Fariña’s Been Down So Long in that you get the sense there really was quite nearly a great “American novel” from them that would have followed their final book if they didn’t die young. Regardless this is great loser literature— freaks, deadbeats, deviants quixotic Ivy leaguers, dullard middle Americans, failed vaudeville comedians. It builds a broader canvas, one of broken dreams and the movie business pasting over the underclass’ own inhabitants. It makes sense it all coalesces and burns into apocalypse.
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny