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Best books to learn James Ellroy, in order

Ellroy wrote two distinct ordered sequences and they must not be mixed: the L.A. Quartet, four novels covering Los Angeles from 1947 to 1958, and Underworld USA, three novels covering American secret history from 1958 to 1972. Start inside the Quartet, finish it, then move to Underworld USA, whose prose is far more extreme and which begins exactly where the Quartet ends.

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Reading paths for james ellroy

James Ellroy Reading Order: Where to Start

Intermediate11books139 hrs4 stages

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning james ellroy?
Ellroy wrote two distinct ordered sequences and they must not be mixed: the L.A. Quartet, four novels covering Los Angeles from 1947 to 1958, and Underworld USA, three novels covering American secret history from 1958 to 1972. Start inside the Quartet, finish it, then move to Underworld USA, whose prose is far more extreme and which begins exactly where the Quartet ends.
What's a good book to start james ellroy with?
A strong starting point is The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after james ellroy?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like J.M. Coetzee, Michael Ondaatje, James Joyce.

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