Books matching: 1930s los angeles
8 result(s)
- #1
In 'Double Indemnity', insurance salesman Walter Huff becomes entangled with the femme fatale Phyllis Nirdlinger, leading to a plot to murder her husband for the insurance money. The story unfolds with intricate murder plots, double crosses, and a dark, twisted tale of crime set in 1930s Los Angeles. Written in a hard-boiled style, the book delves into themes of murder, betrayal, revenge, and questions about human nature, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
I drove out to Glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, and then I remembered this renewal over in Hollywoodland. I decided to run over there. That was how I came to this Hou... - #2
"Ask the Dust" by John Fante is a story set in LA in 1939, following the struggles of writer Arturo Bandini as he lives hand to mouth, blows his money as soon as he receives it, and falls in love with a waitress named Camila Lopez. Their relationship is portrayed as a love-hate dynamic, filled with volatile emotions and irrational choices. As the plot unfolds, Camilla ends up in a mental institution and disappears into the desert, leaving Bandini grappling with his own shortcomings and desires.
The writing style of "Ask the Dust" is described as dark, beautifully told, and capturing the essence of 1930s Los Angeles. The novel is praised for its vivid portrayal of dive bars, cheap rooms, and the struggles of a young writer beset by love and affliction. The relationship between Bandini and Camilla is depicted as a blend of bitterness and warmth, with tragic characters and gorgeous prose creating a brief yet rewarding narrative that keeps readers engaged until the poignant ending.
One night I was sitting on the bed in my hotel room on Bunker Hill, down in the very middle of Los Angeles. It was an important night in my life, because I had to make a decision about the hotel. Eith... - #3
In 'Something More Than Night' by Kim Newman, the story revolves around the unlikely partnership of novelist Raymond Chandler and actor Boris Karloff as they delve into investigations that intertwine crime and horror during the golden age of Hollywood. The narrative is described as a genre-spanning novel that skillfully combines hard-boiled detective fiction with pulp horror elements, set in the late 1930s Los Angeles. The book features a complex plot narrated in a rambling style that captures the essence of the time period, with Chandler and Karloff shining as they bring the story to life with their investigations into unusual occurrences in a town filled with both human and inhuman monsters.
- #4
'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' by Horace McCoy is a dark and grim novella set during the Great Depression that follows the story of Robert and Gloria, two young individuals trying to break into Hollywood. They team up to enter a marathon dance competition in hopes of gaining recognition and financial stability. The book delves into themes of desperation, exploitation, and disillusionment, all set against the backdrop of a grueling dance marathon that becomes a metaphor for the struggles of the era. The narrative is framed around a hearing, with flashbacks revealing the events leading up to a tragic outcome, creating a suspenseful and tension-filled storytelling style.
IT WAS FUNNY THE way I met Gloria. She was trying to get into pictures too, but I didn’t know that until later. I was walking down Melrose one day from the Paramount studios when I heard somebody holl... - #5
"The Road to Los Angeles" by John Fante follows the life of Arturo Gabriel Bandini, a young writer with a narcissistic personality, portrayed as pretentious, lazy, and abrasive. The story delves into Bandini's struggles and failures as he navigates through life with his overactive mind and violent tendencies. The writing style is described as a mix of good and bad, showcasing Fante's potential as a writer but also highlighting the flaws in character development and plot progression.
I had a lot of jobs in Los Angeles Harbor because our family was poor and my father was dead. My first job was ditchdigging a short time after I graduated from high school. Every night I couldn’t slee...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Saga of Arturo Bandini ) - #6
The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West is a novel set in Hollywood in the 1930s, exploring the dark side of the entertainment industry through the eyes of various characters. The book delves into themes of decadence, desperation, and disillusionment, portraying a world where individuals are driven to ruin by their pursuit of fame and fortune. The writing style is described as skillful and precise, with vivid descriptions that bring the characters and setting to life, even though the plot may seem disjointed at times.
Around quitting time, Tod Hackett heard a great din on the road outside his office. The groan of leather mingled with the jangle of iron and over all beat the tattoo of a thousand hooves. He hurried t... - #7
A thrilling novel that weaves its way through plot lines, characters, events, and discovery. The story revolves around the 50's red scare and a number of murders in LA, told from three different police officers' points of view. It delves into the dark side of 1950s Los Angeles, exploring themes of police corruption, serial murder, Communist witch hunts, and the underworld of homosexual prostitution.
Thundershowers hit just before midnight, drowning out the horn honks and noisemaker blare that usually signalled New Year’s on the Strip, bringing 1950 to the West Hollywood Substation in a wave of h...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series L.A. Quartet ) - #8
"The Teleportation Accident" by Ned Beauman is a witty and absurd novel set in various locations like Berlin, Paris, and Los Angeles during the mid-20th century. The story follows Egon Loeser, a self-absorbed and ineffectual character, who is obsessed with creating a teleportation device for a play and pursuing the elusive Adele Hitler. The narrative weaves together historical events, mysterious teleportation elements, and colorful characters, creating a humorous and clever story that delves into themes of existential angst, desire, and the limitations of knowledge.
The book features a mix of genres, with elements of comedy, satire, and philosophical ponderings. The writing style is described as sparkling, bonkers, and slightly absurd, with a narrative that moves through time and space, offering witty observations and colorful similes. Through Loeser's misadventures and interactions with a diverse cast of characters, the reader is taken on a whimsical journey that combines historical references, humor, and clever storytelling.
When you knock a bowl of sugar on to your host’s carpet, it is a parody of the avalanche that killed his mother and father, just as the duck’s beak that your new girlfriend’s lips form when she attemp...