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Summary: Explodes the Cop Genre
Review: This was my first exposure to Ellroy's works. In it, the way he presents crime, cops, criminals, civilians, reporters, and street life is so far removed from prior fiction. Everyone is demystified and shown as real (real messed up) people. It sets the stage for LA Confidential and White Jazz which are both good reads. I have since reread it several times and never get tired of the great characterizations and complex situations.
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Summary: Masterpiece of mood, murder, politics, and corruption
Review: While "The Black Dahlia" was more straightforward in terms of genre and storytelling, "The Big Nowhere" is far more complex and ambitious. The second of Ellroy's 'LA Quartet,' (The first was "The Black Dahlia," parts 3 and 4 are "LA Confidential" and "American Tabloid") "The Big Nowhere" is not only a recreation of the anti-communism crusade, but it also an examination of political and police corruption as well as a (seemingly) unrelated brutal murder mystery. Ellroy effortlessly mixes these elements. There are several stories happening simultaneously, and they are all equally gripping. Brutal in its detail, brilliant in its balance, "The Big Nowhere" is an oasis for anyone who enjoys hardboiled, pitch black noir. Ellroy is easily the boldest and bravest of today's noir authors. His 1950s Los Angeles rings as vividly in your head as any of the characters. In Ellroy's universe, nobody is above corruption. The same could probably be said about our own.
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Summary: How it should be done...
Review: Easily the best of the LA Quartet books (Black Dahlia, Big Nowhere, LA Confidential, & White Jazz), although many would argue for LA Confidential. I found this one more readable because he hadn't slipped into his 'machine gun' style of prose that became his staple in the later two books.A wonderful tale full of gritty characters, authentic locations, and an uncanny intermingling of real-life history with fiction. And only Ellroy could get away with one of his most bold plot twists (I won't spoil it here). If you like gritty detective stories without the dated language of Hammet and Chandler, don't pass on this one.
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Summary: Quintessential Ellroy
Review: This is my favorite Ellroy book. Buzz Meeks is one of the greatest fictional characters I've ever read about. I read LA Confidential first and thought it was good. Big Nowhere inspired me to read just about every scratch Ellroy has put to paper, the inspired and not so inspired. Of the "LA Quartet" this is the lynch-pin. If you don't like this you won't like Ellroy, if you do, you'll love the rest.
Rating: 
Summary: A long tough read.
Review: As a major fan of Michael Connelly, Robert Crais and Raymond Chandler and the LA they picture, I know I should enjoy James Ellroy. However, he just doesn't do it for me. I have now read three of his novels and doubt I will try any more. "The Big Nowhere" was too long, tedious and confusing for my tastes. A couple of the main characters were quite interesting and I looked forward to following their escapades. But overall the novel just was too "over the top" for me. While I finish the books of Messrs. Connelly, Crais and Chandler in a couple of days, Mr. Ellroy's take me over a week. I do not try to steal time for him as I do those other wonderful writers of crime mysteries set in LA. KVD
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Summary: The best novel in an excellent quartet
Review: The best novel out of the Quartet. The plot is sprawling, but unlike White Jazz or (to a lesser extent) L.A. Confidential, still followable, and the characters particularly well drawn and sympathetic, especially Danny Upshaw. Terse, tragic, and thrilling.
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Summary: An American contribution
Review: I have been reading all of Ellroy's books and The Big Nowhere, alongside White Jazz, are his finest piece of work. The grotesque characters, the short-cut telegrafic pace of words and sentences creates an atmosphere that's unique in modern literature. Ellroy's language is a stereotype of a man and clear references to Hemingway can be made. Imagine Ellroy without the roughness and brutality in the stories and plots, even the intellectual and politicaly correct will then see a candidate for the Nobel Prize. For now, Ellroy is Americas best author.
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Summary: A good read in the detective-thriller genre
Review: I bought this book after seeing the film "L.A. Confidential." I was looking for a good mystery/detective/whodunit with atmosphere, and I got it. It's not going to be a classic of 20th century literature, but on the other hand I couldn't put it down. I'd say this book is better than average within its genre, but not as good as, say, The Name of the Rose. All in all, a good read. I liked it enough that I will probably read more by this author, most likely The Black Dahlia.
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Summary: Scott Turow for the louche set
Review: Ellroy is one of the most overrated authors of recent years. I have no problem with people liking swill, they usually do, but people with otherwise good taste seem to LOVE this pretentious twaddler. Ellroy writes plot-dependant novels, but can't plot to save his damn life. Halfway through every one of his books, the plot breaks down, and, not that I read for plot, there's nothing else left. Save yourself time and read a good Ed McBain, Elmore Leonard, or, go to the source, Dash Hammett.
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Summary: Wow
Review: Dudley Smith is one bad, bad man. I'm so glad that he's nearly always a central character, but that we never get to follow his thoughts behind his actions. I cannot see Dud in my mind without seeing James Cromwell, he was absolutely PERFECT for that role. Looking forward to finishing the quartet with the Black Dahlia.
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