En Los Angeles sin un plano

by Richard Rayner, Mariano Antolín Rato (Translator)

An autobiographical cult travelogue first published in 1988 and turned into a movie 10 years later, Los Angeles Without a Map sees Richard Rayner leave his long-term girlfriend and steady job back in London to fly on a whim to track down Barbara, a bunny girl, athlete and party head. The plot is set for a good outsider tale with a rather straight Englishman pursuing the affections of an American wild child in an environment that puts him at a distinct disadvantage. Despite having steeped himself in American culture since boyhood he has never been to the USA. Add to that the lack of a driving licence--not a useful situation to be in in the city of freeways and boulevards.

Rayner's easy-going prose style and self-deprecatory humour mean that this 186-page book rarely goes off the boil. As in so many films about the city, however, the city is the star. Rayner attempts to come to terms with the city by living out his movie fantasies, but doesn't explore the themes of decadence, insanity and violence which have so much to do with LA's make-up. At times Rayner's writing tends towards the stereotypical--thin on local detail and populated by predictable peripheral characters, from bodybuilders and religious freaks to a James Dean fanatic and a struggling scriptwriter. Those who are as obsessed as Rayner with the workings of the movie industry may also want to consult movies that cover the same material, like Barton Fink and The Player. --Tim Perry

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Richard Rayner is a British author who now lives in Los Angeles. He was born on December 15, 1955 in the northern city of Bradford. Rayner attended schools in Yorkshire and Wales before studying philosophy and law at the University of Cambridge. He has worked as an editor at Time Out Magazine, in London, and later on the literary magazine Granta, then based in Cambridge.

Rayner is the author of nine books. His first, Los Angeles Without A Map, was published in 1988. Part-fiction, part-travelogue, this was turned into a movie L.A. Without a Map (for which Rayner co-wrote the screenplay with director Mika Kaurismaki) starring David Tennant, Vinessa Shaw, Julie Delpy, Vincent Gallo, and, in an uncredited part, Johnny Depp.
(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Radiantflux · Rating 2 out of 5]

19th book for 2016.

In this 1980s book about Los Angeles there are no blacks or latinos, no police corruption or pretty much anything else, other than a self-aware comedic telling of an lost/desperate-loser Englishman's stalking of a Playboy bunny. This is a very short and narrow take on the city.

However, it is enjoyable for what it is, and captures a certain (limited) sense of the city. I would have given it three stars, but the end felt too forced and spoiled what was an otherwise enjoyable quick read.

[laila* · Rating 4 out of 5]

in a deep west phase right now. this book occasionally reminded me of diary of an oxygen thief which says 1. that book is set too deep in my cerebellum for no reason and 2. the protagonist is so annoying sometimes i gagged for no reason at all. it’s a really pretty book though. stream of conscious and all flowy.

[Berta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been to LA, but I could perfectly be as lost as him.

I like the particular version and the comedy. But maybe too many strange characters. I literally was lost.

I love the Kaurismaki film more.

[Juan Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it because I saw it at an Airbnb I stayed at. Pretty cool LA centered book. It was aight.

[Sofie Sue Stephanie Rutgeerts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summung up events without a story

[Kang-Chun Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

very stream of conscious type writing, about being young and dumb in LA

[The Ultracheese · Rating 3 out of 5]

lo compré durante un viaje y le tengo cariño
me gusta pensar que tiene de autobiográfico aunque no tengo ni idea

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Very funny!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

highly entertaining in a Day of the Locust sort of way. Got to this via The Blue Suit, which I like even better.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read, highly entertaining and surreal made even better because its true

[James Aylott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was packed in my bag when I first came to Los Angeles from London in Jan 1994. It was quite a relatable read for someone new to LA.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aimless.