About this title: In 1958, when James Ellroy was 10 years old, his mother's body was found in a run-down town near Los Angeles. The murderer was never found; the case remains unsolved. This remarkable book--part unflinching autobiography, part vivid reportage--tells an extraordinarily gripping story about the failed murder investigation, uncovering Ellroy's daring, revelatory journey into and through his most forbidding memories. 14 photos.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Vintage Books USA
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780679762058ISBN:0679762051
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. VG (shows some minor edgewear; seems like it was gently read once). Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 448 p. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Knopf
Date Published: 1996-11-05
ISBN-13:9780679441854ISBN:0679441859
Description: Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. Signed by author on endpaper, Near Fine/Near Fine, no tears or chips to the DJ, interior clean and bright, binding tight, a wonderful copy throughout. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Knopf
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780679441854ISBN:0679441859
Description: Acceptable. A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (the dust cover may be missing). Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. Return Policy Any defects, damages, or material differences with your item, must be reported to us within 7 days of receipt of the item or 30 days from date of shipment. The returned merchandise must be postmarked within 30 days of the shipment notification. Non-deliveries must be reported ... read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Vintage Books USA
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780679762058ISBN:0679762051
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Very light edge and corner wear. No marks. Tight, square book. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 448 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: Good. 1997-Paperback----Used-Good-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Knopf
Date Published: November 5, 1996
ISBN-13:9780679441854ISBN:0679441859
Description: VG Used, Very Good in VG jacket. HARDCOVER, VG/VG, Knopf, November 5, 1996, 351 pages, 1.5 x 7.0 x 9.8 inches, 1.6 pounds, Category: Biographies & Memoirs: General. This copy is SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, is an assumed First Edition, has visible but minimal wear, is a former library copy with the usual markings, is MYLAR jacketed, is in Excellent Condition Overall. Special Notes on this book: Signed by Author, appears uncirculated and unread. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Knopf
Date Published: 1996-11-05
ISBN-13:9780679441854ISBN:0679441859
Description: New. Brand New Book. SIGNED BY The AUTHOR! Free tracking # included! International buyers are welcome. We ship every business day. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 1997-08-19
ISBN-13:9780679762058ISBN:0679762051
Description: New. Pre-release ARC book with different cover and publisher stickers. New, unread, unused & in perfect condition with no damaged or missing pages. Great Copy. Ships Lightning Fast. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Knopf
Date Published: 1996-11-05
ISBN-13:9780679441854ISBN:0679441859
Description: Very Good. Hardback w/dust jacket. Hardback w/dj, 1996 CR, stated 1st ed, appears signed by author on 2nd fly pg and title pg, red dot top pg edges, else crisp, clean, no other marks, tears, stains, appearsunread, unused. read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Vintage Books
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780679762058ISBN:0679762051
Description: Good++ No creases in spine, no slant, front cover fore-edge curls slightly, crease and bookstore stamp on first page, tight binding, no age toning, clean, 427 unmarked pages. read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group, New York
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780679441854ISBN:0679441859
Description: Fine in fine dust jacket. Signed by author. SIGNED by author on ffep (signature only). Stated 1st edition. 'Signed by the author' sticker. Essentially as new in protective mylar sleeve. Author's memoir of his mother's unsolved murder in 1958. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 351 p. Audience: General/trade. By the author of 'LA Confidential' and 'The Black Dahlia'. read more
"I recently heard James Ellroy on NPR talking about his new book, Blood is a Rover. He struck me as a really intense and odd guy, but I was intrigued by his comments about his spirituality. My Dark Places is a memoir and I read it in search of more details about his spiritual life which I did not particularly discover in the book. This was the strangest memoir I have read, but it was captivating. It's filled with graphic crime/murder stories which is his niche/obsession. A lot of the book is a bunch of tangential details and stories. Odd book, but I liked it."
"Not a perfect book, but a very very good one. Probably the most insightful true crime book I've read in a long time. The ultimate verdict is grim: Vicious crimes happen - sometimes for no good reason, sometimes because people put themselves in harm's way. Sometimes evil people do evil things without provocation, and there is little one can do be completely safe. Ellroy is particularly focused on the sexual component of crime, sketching out some very ugly truths about men's hatred for women. Ultimately his take is biased due to personal experience, but one suspects he is not far off.
Ellroy is upfront about the more loathsome aspects of his longing to figure out his mother, revealing much about his other writing in the process. Now I now where all his voyeur characters come from. Another important element is his brutally honest account of his struggle with addiction to alcohol and drugs, it's rare to seen it written about so succinctly and without self-rationalizing.
"I'm not really sure what to make of this book. On the one hand, it really starts out like gangbusters: detailing the facts behind the Black Dahlia story and its link to Ellroy's own mother's death. I had thought it was heading for a slam-bang ending. But, then, somewhere about three-fourths of the way through, it just sort of fizzles out. I think I like his writing style, but I think it's more fitting for fiction."
This book relates the tale of his life following the murder of his mother. It is the tale of an unsuccessful murder investigation.
The book is written in an unemotional manner that forces the reader to feel the emotions rather than read them on the page. From that point of view, the book is masterful.
Also, Ellroy writes in a powerful and almost primitive style that flies in the face of conventional writing--sentences that begin with the same word, repeated words, loads of the word I until it almost creates a rhythm. Getting used to his unorthodox writing takes some adjustment, and then he rewards you with powerful ideas.
In truth, this book lost me because it repeats the same story from several different angles. It was so dark and uncomfortable, that I just no longer wanted to approach the story from any point of view."
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