Review: L.A. Women

L.A. Women by Ella Berman
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

.

DNF. Although I did not find this to be my particular glass of wine, those interested in the late 1960s to the mid-1970s may find this an interesting take on the history of the times.

I lived through these years, although I was very young at the time this book takes place (10-17), so my memories are sketchy at best.

What I did not like about this book at all was that it 'tried too hard' to be a literary novel, and the author tried too hard to emulate Truman Capote or other authors of his ilk. It did not work with Ms. Bermans' voice.

There was a lot of upheaval at the time, and Ms. Berman managed to pack all of the history and issues of this era into this one book. 

I cared nothing for the main characters, and no matter how tried, I could not find myself caring enough about Gala, Lane, Charles, etc. to keep going.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, Berkley, the author, and NetGalley

View all my reviews

DESCRIPTION: "An electrifying novel about the complicated friendship between two ambitious and talented female writers in 1960s Los Angeles and the ultimate artistic one writes a book based on the other's life… from the author of Reese's Book Club Pick Before We Were Innocent.

After a steady descent from literary stardom, Lane Warren is back. She’s secured a new book deal based off the life of her sometimes friend and more often rival, notorious free spirit and muse, Gala Margolis. Lane’s only problem is that Gala has been missing for months…nobody can find her.

Ten years earlier, Gala was a charming socialite and Lane was a Hollywood outsider amidst the glittering 1960’s LA party scene. Though never best friends, Lane found Gala sharp and compelling. Gala liked that Lane took her seriously. They were both writers. They were drawn to each other.

That is until Gala’s star began to rise, and Lane grew more envious. Then Lane decided to do something that she wouldn’t ever be able to take back…changing the trajectory of both their lives."