Customer Reviews

Love, West Hollywood: Reflections of Los Angeles

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"Love, West Hollywood: Reflections of Los Angeles" is a marvelous self-portrait of one of America's most fascinating cities. 35 writers artfully paint a city at once glittering and grotesque - capturing both the allure and pain found within its pearly gates.

The editors have chosen their narrators carefully - each covering his or her part of the canvas in highly personal ways. Some apply war paint with fearless abandon while others dab delicately. "Love, West Hollywood" smartly blends intimate remembrances of Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift and Mary Pickford with harrowing tales of runaways, discrimination and hustlers. The result is a profound testament to all of the creative and colorful people who lived, thrived, loved and died here.

Without a doubt, this compilation is sure to become the standard by which all such books are measured.
Whether a native Angeleno or a literary interloper, "Love, West Hollywood" will leave you spellbound.

What a delight is Love, West Hollywood! The collection of stories in the book creates a delightful diversity; diversity in love, race, and class. Strangely gender is not an issue; the book transcends gender, intermingling stories by both male and female authors. However, the weakness being there is only one, albeit very educational, Trans point of view. Despite the delicious name dropping that may appeal to those "in the know" there is something for everyone. The collective stories (were able to) personalize the likes of icon Lucille Ball, tough dike Chicana footballers - even a Jewish Grandmother. Academic and historically accurate, it is educational and appropriate for any undergraduate class. The writing is creative, polished, and the topics are varied enough to hold one's interest. I would highly recommend it (and have already bought additional copies) for those working with runaway youth. It will validate and ring familiar to youth and adults that are still searching, regardless of race or class and is sure to educate my fellow heterosexuals. There is a strong theme of longing for place and belonging and an almost therapeutic sharing as each story unfolds. It's about Love, all kinds of Love; many stories pointedly demonstrate how culture and class often outweigh the ability for free expression of sexuality. One will feel both the excitement and shame brought about by spontaneously "kissing Elvis" in "Color Bonita" and recognize true love for the person known only as A in "a". Readers will understand the frustrated need for anonymity in "a" in "l.a. incog-negro". Congratulations to the editors and contributors on a job well done. Kudos on the breath of diversity it's a difficult task.

It's a lot of good reads, by a strikingly diverse group of writers. The pieces range from quirkily informative to deeply personal, alternately funny, moving, shocking, and enlightening. About ten essays stand out as my favorites. Other people's favorites might differ. That's the strength of this comprehensive collection that reveals many different experiences of gay Los Angeles. If you're interested in old Hollywood, remembrances of LA's shadowy gay scene from decades past, thoughtful observations from gay rights pioneers, or if you want to hear from new, young voices in LA's LGBT community, then you'll love this book.

As a straight woman living outside of Los Angeles, I took a chance by ordering this book. All I can say is "Wow". No, not every story was for written for me but I still learned something anyway. I was especially pleased to find some never-before published anecdotes about my favorite stars from yesteryear. After growing up watching "I Love Lucy" re runs I was thrilled to read Taylor Negron's essay "Tuesdays with Lucy" about Lucille Ball teaching a six week acting class at the end of her illustrious career - true story! It's like being in the same room with this grand lady. Can you imagine? However, the story that must be shared is "The Love That Dared Speak Its Name" by Teresa DeCrescenzo. It is not about Hollywood per se, but it certainly has a Hollywood ending. DeCrescenzno is an exceptional writer/activist who tells of how a small act of bravery at a Los Angeles medical center, ultimately changed the course of history. It also taught me an important lesson about my own prejudices and awareness. After the last sentence, I cried like a baby. Kudos to all who contributed to this astounding and courageous book and a hearty congratulations to those who read it. BW