tricky's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book back in the very late 80s/early 90s and the paperback has never left my possession since then. I remember having a fondness for the novel, how each chapter brought you closer to a really interesting ending. For me reading this book back in the day it was a raw gritty novel that portrayed a lifestyle that I could never even imagine. There was no glitz or glamour in this Hollywood it is awful and messy.
The story of Lisa, Jesse and Orin is what binds the novel together, other characters are provided a chapter to tell their story but you are not sure for the reason until the end. Each character is well realised and believable but as a reader you want to focus on the journey of the three main leads. You really want to know why they are there and what does drive them. The other character in the book is the city of Los Angeles and Rechy pays homage by providing a deep character study. I have never been to LA but I feel I could use this book as a guide map and not get too lost.
What does let the novel down is the structure as you are never sure why these other characters pop into the narrative when they never connect with the three main leads. Waiting for the 'ah-ha' moment at the end is a poor pay off in some ways. Still some wonderful descriptions and really captures the essence of that time period.
The story of Lisa, Jesse and Orin is what binds the novel together, other characters are provided a chapter to tell their story but you are not sure for the reason until the end. Each character is well realised and believable but as a reader you want to focus on the journey of the three main leads. You really want to know why they are there and what does drive them. The other character in the book is the city of Los Angeles and Rechy pays homage by providing a deep character study. I have never been to LA but I feel I could use this book as a guide map and not get too lost.
What does let the novel down is the structure as you are never sure why these other characters pop into the narrative when they never connect with the three main leads. Waiting for the 'ah-ha' moment at the end is a poor pay off in some ways. Still some wonderful descriptions and really captures the essence of that time period.
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