Clever Trash
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I read this book on the way back from my honeymoon. It is a lovely depraved bit of writing for its time (1939). A really easy read with lots of provocative writing - particularly the rape fantasies ofthe protagonist. I thought it was kinda like John Fante in the scheme of things. Recommended for someone who wants to read something posing as a classic but actually kind of trashy...
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Unfulfilled desire
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"Nothing short of violent rape would do" is Tod's line when he becomes frustrated with a whore's refusal to sleep with him. Violence is what this novel is abount. West is trying to warn us all about a society that is becoming so violent that the only entertainment is watching planes crash in a blazing heap from the sky. He dosen't take full of his oppurtunity, in my opinion this novel falls just a little bit short. West is a good writer but not a great writer.
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This gem of a book speaks volumes about Los Angeles
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In this wonderfully crafted mini-novel, Nathanael West captures the cultural essence of boomtown Los Angeles during its tumultuous adolescence. The dark, coarse, seamy side of the "California dream" is vividly portrayed here. The plot is not really the point in this period piece; the truth is in the characters and their always unfortunate interactions. For those who seek to understand the social history of southern California, this novel might be more useful than a half-dozen academic treatises.
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Good, not great
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The story was going so well. Characters were interesting and the sense of closure was near. Then ??? What happened? West needed to write another couple of chapters.
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strange
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The Day of the Locust was required reading for me so that may be one of the reasons that I did read it. I did however find it easy to read and almost enjoyable. The story flows nicely, but the end of the book left me asking, "Why did I just waste my time reading that?"
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