The Hilliker Curse: My Pursuit of Women Audiobook

" I'm willing to accept a great deal of psychotic egotism in an author and James Ellroy doesn't disappoint in his second memoir The Hilliker Curse. Though he offers plenty of wince-worthy self-aggrandizement in this book, he also offers a startlingly frank confession of both his perversions and his affections. Neither one is easy for a man to admit, let alone detail as Ellroy does here. However, I think this book's real value is as a journal of a great writer during a period of time that was both emotionally and creatively significant. As much as I enjoyed reading Ellroy dish on his own private dramas, I was much more keen to read about his rejection of his own style in The Cold Six Thousand, what led to his very different voice in Blood's a Rover, and his conceptualization of a second LA Quartet (the first of which, Perfidia, is rumored to be out later this year). This was interesting, but only that - it's no My Dark Places but still worth reading for the hardcore Ellroy fans. "

" It's just a brilliant staccato-written book. It also mirrors so many of my own thoughts and feelings about broads. "

" Absolutely hated this book. Two hundred plus pages of Ellroy talking about past relationships. Fuck off old man. We don't give a shit. "

" As compelling, blunt, noir, intelligent and creepy as his fiction. If you like that, don't miss this confessional autobiography about the women in his life, starting with his mother, murdered when he was a kid. This book explains a lot about Ellroy's fiction, especially its dark corners, although he's so dismissive of his last memoir (My Dark Places) that I'm left thinking that he left a lot untold here in an attempt to win over his audience in spite of his self-abasing egomania. "

" That James Ellroy is one crazy motherf*cker. "

" That was exquisitely frustrating. "

" The first quarter or so is dull, repetitive and not new information, but once the writing career kicks in this memoir really takes off, albeit you'll need to be able to endure a lot of self loathing to get through it! "

" There are plenty of things to love about James Ellroy's mysteries--from intriguing yet morally questionable characters to the particular staccato character of his prose. Both are present in The Hilliker Curse, but critics were much less impressed with this memoir than with his fiction. Most felt his prose style confusing, particularly in cases where clarity would seem required. They also had trouble sympathizing with Ellroy's predations, even when he presented a reasonable explanation for his behavior. While many found in his story something to pity, that didn't mean they liked the book. However, Ellroy's most devoted fans may appreciate this added insight into the author's psyche. The rest can move on. This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine. "

" Weeping-Jesus-on-the-cross, what sort of wayward trip was that? I suppose blazing through such in one sitting is the ideal route, but I am left here shaking my head and searching for ashes in my mouth. "

" James Ellroy's previous memoir ("My Dark Places") was so much better! "

" interesting how to built a writer "

" Ellroy is out there. "

" Ellroy at his most memoirishly vulnerable. "

" The story of his life with women, beginning with his murdered mother. Interesting how he uses his own wives/girlfriends in his novels. "

" It would be a disservice to yourself to not listen to Ellroy's reading of this book. Read like a confession it's probably the closest you'll get to comprehending the man. In fact, in some parts of the book Ellroy the reader seems to mock Ellroy the writer. He should narrate more of his books. "

" A very enlightening look into the mind of author James Ellroy, the history behind his mother's murder, and his own misogonistic ways. A good read for any Ellroy reader. "

" couldn't force myself to finish this. I can't believe it. "

" Not my favorite. Borderline annoying. "

" Ellroy bares his soul here. He's a weirdo and aint afraid to share. Anyone who has him pegged as a Misogynist is way off. His love of woman is all consuming. They need to read this. "

" Ellroy looks farther into himself than maybe he ever has. His razor-sharp staccato stylings cut deep. Naked soul-baring. A read like no other. "

" This is a must read for any Ellroy fan! A personal, poignant memoir from one of America's crime novelists. I couldn't put it down. Man, this guy ha done some stuff. I live in downtown San Francisco and I always keep an eye out hoping I spot Ellroy haunting some of his old digs. "

" It's just a brilliant staccato-written book. It also mirrors so many of my own thoughts and feelings about broads. "

" That James Ellroy is one crazy motherf*cker. "

" James Ellroy's previous memoir ("My Dark Places") was so much better! "

" Ellroy at his most memoirishly vulnerable. "