Kevin Treanor
asked:
Would you recommend reading the L.A. Quartet series in order? I'm more interested in reading L.A. Confidential, but I also hate trying to jump into a series that is filled with references to previous novels.
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Stephen Sanders
I just finished L.A. Confidential and I read the prior two before it in order. I would recommend reading them in order for the simple reason that The Black Dahlia and The Big Nowhere are really good books. Ellroy's writing is a bit less stylized in those two novels than in L.A. Confidential and they have (somewhat) less byzantine plot lines, which could make them better entry points into Ellroy's crime fiction. Additionally, two major and a host of minor characters continue on from novel to novel. Perhaps more importantly, reading them in order gives you a sense of the epic sweep of crime, corruption and Southern California history that Ellroy is trying to portray. I can't wait to read the final book, White Jazz!
Jonathan
It's definitely not mandatory, but having read the first three books in the series in the proper order, it does give you a better sense of what's going on behind what's actually being said.
There are only minor tie-ins between all four books in the series, and if I'm remembering correctly, it only really has to do with one fairly major character.
All it really did for me was bring a bit of nostalgia and recognition to the books. It put a smile on my face reading about him being up to the same old thing; but it's definitely not something that you would worry about or go out of your way to do.
I was in the same boat as you are right now, and if L.A. Confidential is the only book in the series that you plan on reading, I wouldn't concern yourself with any of the others and you'll be perfectly fine.
Let me know what you think and I hope that you enjoy your reading.
Take care.
Jonathan
There are only minor tie-ins between all four books in the series, and if I'm remembering correctly, it only really has to do with one fairly major character.
All it really did for me was bring a bit of nostalgia and recognition to the books. It put a smile on my face reading about him being up to the same old thing; but it's definitely not something that you would worry about or go out of your way to do.
I was in the same boat as you are right now, and if L.A. Confidential is the only book in the series that you plan on reading, I wouldn't concern yourself with any of the others and you'll be perfectly fine.
Let me know what you think and I hope that you enjoy your reading.
Take care.
Jonathan
Cathy Lee
I would also recommend reading Clandestine by the same author somewhere in between. It gives some good insight into one of the recurring major characters.
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