[books 2008] last but not least

[inulro]

69.Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome

This month's Bibliogoth selection. Having read parts of the introduction, I now get it, but I still don't think it's funny or charming or any of those other things you're supposed to.

70. LA Confidential by James Ellroy

Huge and epic book about the corruption of the LA police force in the 50s. A bit hard to get into, as the first quarter is setting the scene for what follows, but really carries you away once it gets going. I spent the first half thinking "this may be technically better, but I prefer The Black Dahlia", but on balance I'm not sure. Only at the end does it become evident why Ellroy slightly fictionalises Disney and Disneyland when most of his LA is "real".

Like The Black Dahlia, one of the central themes is the rapid growth and change LA was undergoing in the 50s.

Very highly recommended.

Comments

[sheepthief.livejournal.com]

I adore Three Men In A Boat - I find it funny, though not uproariously. I enjoy it mostly knowing when it was written - it speaks from an entirely different age, and yet is still relevent.

[mimmimmim.livejournal.com]

I love Three Men in a Boat. To each her own! the scene with the tin of pineapple is a work of genius - the way the language there, with lines getting shorter and shorter in lengtrh as the fury increases, is handled is superb.

The Black Dahlia's another part of the LA Quartet, like LA Confidential. White Jazz and The Big Nowhere are the other two. I love the LA quartet, but don't have much time for a lot of Ellroy's other stuff - the earlier novels are too pulpy, and the later ones too ponderous, although plenty of people would disagree with me over The Cold Six Thousand as it's got plenty of acclaim.