Who here reads James Ellroy?

[DeToxRox]

I've really gotten into his books lately, having basically read most of his published works after I finally got to reading LA Confidential. His Underworld USA series, with American Tabloid and the Cold Six Thousand has become my favorite series of books so far by an author, with the final part of the trilogy out in September.

The one thing with Ellroy is the way he writes takes getting used to. I find it compelling as hell and it really reads fast for me so I generally devour his books but I know a few other people never got into the style of writing and couldn't finish books of his they tried reading.

Plus one other person I know of was turned off by how graphic he can be, though I don't think it's that bad. The guy is for sure a pessimist though.

Anyway, just curious if other people on FOFC read his stuff because his work usually ends up on the Bestseller List but I rarely hear about him from other people.

[wade moore]

I started the Cold Six Thousand and found it to be pretty challenging to fight through, especially knowing it was so long. I put it down after about 150 pages. I probalby still have it around somewhere, but his scatter-brained style was really tough for me.

Have you seen him interviewed? He did a 2 week seminar at my school when I was in College, and my roommate took it. Because of that (he kept telling me how nuts the guy was) we watched him on Conan. That was one of the most entertaining things I have ever seen in my life - especially on late night talk shows. I had it on VHS for awhile, but who knows where that is now. Every now and then I look for it on teh interwebs, but I've had no luck finding it.

[BreizhManu]

Huge fan, read all of his books at least twice, been waiting for the next ones for years now...

[Calis]

Big fan of the LA Quartet stuff and the Underworld USA series. I had no idea the 3rd one was due out in September. I might have to refresh myself on the first two. I haven't read his older stuff yet.

Really loved his non-fiction, 'My Dark Places' also.

[OldGiants]

I've read all his books, harking back to Brown's Requiem.

Find his book of essays that contains his O. J. article. Its funny and insightful.

No one in this thread has mentioned it, but Ellroy's real life is about as scary as his books. His mother was murdered when he was a boy, very likely by the Black Dahlia killer. Her murder was in the LA press complete with garish photos. No wonder the kid turned out as he did.

Check out his life and times, as well as the tons of Black Dahlia books out there. Almost as good as his stuff.