Misadventures in the

by Dennis Hensley

What Armistead Maupin did for San Francisco, Detour columnist Dennis Hensley does double for Los Angeles in a tale of a struggling screenwriter, his circle of urbane celebrity-seeking friends, and their madcap attempts to make it in the biz. "(213)?" you may ask. Well, the area code, of course. "Misadventures?" Just the usual crazy high jinks underemployed Tinseltown wannabes usually get up to. Like making off with fish from Tina Louise's koi pond. Or calling Leeza Gibbons via Airfone to ask who does her headshots. Or harassing Alicia Silverstone with tales of watermelon-loving porn stars. Or auctioning off Andrew Shue's chicken wing and Heather Locklear's lip print for charity. You know. And the wannabes themselves? Well, there's Craig, the aforementioned struggling screenwriter. And Dandy Rio, his best friend and star of her own hit sitcom, That's Just Dandy. Miles, their superpublicist friend, and Ulysses, a noble but unsuccessful musician from Craig and Dandy's college days. Oh, and a whole slew of love slaves. Packed with Hollywood life lessons and more B-level celebs than you can shake a casting sheet at, Misadventures in the (213) is a brilliantly witty romp through the L.A. entertainment machine. And just wait till you come out the other end.Because, of course, money, fame, and glamour aren't everything.

Genres: Fiction, LGBT, Humor, Gay

288 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 1998

Reviews

[Brent Hartinger]

Remember that television series from a few years back about Jennifer Grey trying to make it in Hollywood? This book is everything that show wasn't: clever, hilarious, satirical, and--dare I say it?--insightful. It's all about trying to make it in the insane entertainment industry of Los Angeles, and the tone is frothy and superficial, exactly like Los Angeles itself! Hensley shows us the city and the industry from the inside, and he's clearly a fan. Unlike Hensley (and Randy Newman), I hate L.A. But I loved this book!

[Heather]

Absolutely one of my favorite books ever.

I came upon this book at a restaurant in Union, CT off of I-84 in 2003, the summer between eighth grade and high school. The premise of the place was that you eat and pick out a book. I happened upon a hard cover edition of this.

I read and re-read this many a time in the first few months. I adored the story - even back then I was a pop culture junkie, and I enjoyed all the references - even though at that point the book had been out for 5 years, and was set in 1995 to boot.

Some of the references now are dated, but the characters are so lovable, and familiar to me, that any time I just want to get lost in Hollyweird, I pick up this book.

I swear, if this were to become a movie, I'd be the first in line to see it...and I have several pertinent casting suggestions :)

(Disclaimer: although I picked up this book at the age of 14, initially, this is by no means a YA-friendly book - drug references, gay sex, ect.) However, I love it now as much as I did then. Good luck finding a copy of this though, because it is out of print. I remember tearing my hair out and special ordering this from Borders when my Dad threw out my hardcover copy.

ETA: 8/12/26 - The Audible audiobook of this sounds absolutely atrocious, like it was recorded with a potato masquerading as a mic.

[Jessica]

Eh. I couldn't care about the characters if I tried. While it did have its amusing spots, I was looking for something a little more laugh out loud. It just seemed like it was trying too hard. Like most of L.A. So I guess, nailed it?

[nicole]

hidden cult classic and gem of a collection

[Alisha Berry]

This is a "laugh so hard you will pee in your pants" sort of book.

[Victoria]

probably one of my favorite books

[Carlos Mock]

Misadventures in the 213 (Hardcover) by Dennis Hensley

An aspiring screenwriter, Craig Calburn, (who used to work as assistant cruise director for Empress Cruise Lines) makes a move from NYC to Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Dandy Rios - who's currently starring in the series Lifestream.

What follows is a ridiculous, nonconsequential, dull, and dated plot, narrated from Craig's first-person point of view.

The characters are very shallow - but then, that's the point. I never cared for any of them, including the protagonist. The book is full of name-dropping, and there is no plot to talk about.

I did not enjoy it and I do not recommend it!

[Grant]

Witty, sarcastic-but-not-mean (usually), sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I get the feeling that Hensley based a lot of this on actual people and places. The character of the self-absorbed Dandy seems REALLY fleshed out, so it makes me wonder... what C- or D-level actress was he friends with?

I believe part of this book started out as a newspaper serial. Because of that, the chapters are bite-sized, and makes the book a really easy read.

[Elise]

Fast and entertaining read. Reads like a reality show or sitcom - a book of fluff.

The narrator is the best friend of a C list celebrity. He is gay, moves to LA, and writes a screenplay. He struggles in LA but has a famous and rich best friend who gets them in and out of wild situations.

[Anna]

Great book! Fun reading, nothing too serious, reminds me of watching a comedy show which is very fitting being set in LA.

[p!]

the original gay son, thot daughter!

[Chris]

For a "slight, funny" read, I found this both overlong (by about 100 pages) and I didn't laugh...once. Plot both bloated and slight at the same time. What is funny is that it takes place in the late 90s--funny how so many of the celebrities are exactly the same but technology certainly isn't--one plot twist involves someone not having email...um.

[Jason]

I was given this book by someone who told me that I was exaclty like one of the characters in the book. After reading it, I shuddered to guess which one he thought was me.

In any case, this was a fun read.. Recommended for any Los Angelenos...

[Dana]

Never go to the bookstore hungry. You end up buying books that have the nutritional value of a supersize order of extra greasy french fries — good for about 5 minutes and then you just feel kinda nasty.

[Cat.]

Rather amusing, but seems to be trying too hard. About a guy who is good friends with a TV star a la Friends or Baywatch. Very silly--she's a real piece of work--and the people are all pretty shallow & icky. So of course they'll make a movie of it!

[Jess Moss]

I really couldn't get into this book. I didn't find myself caring about the characters until the final few chapters. This was somewhat of a "trashy" novel. I finished the book only because I hate to start a book and not finish it.

[Kent]

Very funny and well written. This was a very good start for Hensley. Wish he'd been able to keep it going.

[Anne]

Liked this, like this author. Not as funny as Screening Party, but worth a read to get that 'left coast' viewpoint.

[Jennie]

This book is totally hilarious!

[Susan]

A film maker can write a really entertaining book.

[Maureen]

I love how I could picture all the things in this fantastical book happening here in lovely LA. The craziness is real, in a Hollywood sort of way. It was funny and clever and enduring.

[Ryan]

A book that is crying out for a follow up or a T.V. Show. Very entertaining.

[Cary O'Dell]

Laugh out loud funny novel. A pleasure to read.

[Chris]

Hilarious look at life in LA. Non-stop laugh riot. Read it.

[Naomi]

It had some cute one-liners, but [groans].

[Groovygaby]

I loved this book and couldn't stop laughing.

[Dan Cote]

love this book. very funny!

[John]

Shallow and silly ... but sometimes that not such a bad thing.