L. A. Bizarro! The Insider's Guide to the Obscure, the Absurd and the Perverse in Los Angeles (Paperback)

~ Anthony Lovett (Author), Matt Maranian (Author) "Cole's has always reminded me of a filthy stinking Parisian public urinal trough, the kind you can't flush..." (more)
Key Phrases: freeway east, freeway north, bible tract, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Naked City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A demented guide to the dark side of drinking, dining and whining L.A.-style. A veritable treasure trove of bad, or no, taste." --Michael Musto, columnist for The Village Voice

"Why go to Mars when we've got it all here in L.A.?" --Larry Storch

"Both outrageous and informative--it's why I love L.A." --Steve Edwards host of Good Day L.A.

"I'll say anything you want me to say, about this book. It's fabulous." --Quentin Crisp

"Finally there's a book that tells L.A.'s secrets, secrets I never even knew about. This is a must-read if you live in L.A. or are just visiting. This is a m a a a z i n g." --Rodney Bingenheimer, deejay, KROQ, Los Angeles.
-- Review

L.A. Bizzaro! continues the tradition of seeing Los Angeles as a toxic playground, best observed slightly unconscious. The book is largely about body parts, cracks (wise and otherwise) and drinks. L.A. Bizzaro! approves of consuming them all. Just below the cheerful pornography, however, is a satire of post-middle-class consumption in a city waiting to explode again. Anthony R. Lovett and Matt Maranian have found interesting things to buy in L.A. while they wait for something terrible to happen. -- Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review, D. J. Waldie

Review

"A demented guide to the dark side of drinking, dining and whining L.A.-style. A veritable treasure trove of bad, or no, taste." --Michael Musto, columnist for The Village Voice

"Why go to Mars when we've got it all here in L.A.?" --Larry Storch

"Both outrageous and informative--it's why I love L.A." --Steve Edwards host of Good Day L.A.

"I'll say anything you want me to say, about this book. It's fabulous." --Quentin Crisp

"Finally there's a book that tells L.A.'s secrets, secrets I never even knew about. This is a must-read if you live in L.A. or are just visiting. This is a m a a a z i n g." --Rodney Bingenheimer, deejay, KROQ, Los Angeles.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 5th edition (May 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031215562X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312155629
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #317,173 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #23 in	Books > Travel > Guidebook Series > Insiders
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a hoot!, October 9, 2002

By	Nelson Aspen "Author/Journalist" (Los Angeles & NYC, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

The only thing more fun than reading this book while planning your visit to Los Angeles, is reading this book if you're already living here! Unexpected and sublimely offbeat... So many reasons to love and hate the City of Angels. Definitely should be on your "must-read" list.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surreal? Yes! Terrifying? Yes! Entertaining? Yes!, October 16, 2003

By	someone_who_reads (Simi Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I've lived in and around L.A. for almost all of my life, and I've never been to a lot of the places in this book, nor do I know many people who have been to more than a couple of these places. Having a lot of relatives in the Midwest, the South, and the Eastern Seaboard, I hear a lot about how we Californians are perceived in other parts of the country, and this little guide can only solidify our reputations of being...well...weird. It's easy to become jaded by the perversity that surrounds us all the time, so to have it stare at me from between the pages of this book is quite a jolt of reality, or unreality, or whatever you want to call it. Just think, the people with the kind of imagination that can dream up and create these landmarks have lived (or are still living) among us normal, decent folk....that kind of scares me!

Anyway, even if you never plan to visit the City of Angels, this is a fascinating read. The variations of the old "is that a pickle in your pocket" line gets repetitive, but the subject matter and the authors' deliciously twisted points of view counteract that. As far as I can tell, it's pretty well-researched (I especially enjoyed comparing my own experience with the Men's restroom at the Madonna Inn with that of the authors). Be warned, though: this is not suitable reading for the rugrats, and you wouldn't want to leave it lying around the house if your strict, judgemental Baptist grandmother decides to pay you a visit.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most unique travel guide you will ever find, December 13, 2001

By	D. Movahedpour "doeadear" (CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this book, partially because I have visited many of the oddly endearing sights mentioned in the book, but also because it celebrates L.A.'s less-plastic side. The authors take the gloss of the usual travel tome, and turn it into a dog-eared laugh-riot. I have made it my personal pilgrimage to visit many of the places they mention, and they certainly don't sugar-coat it. The authors can be downright rude, but mostly acerbic and honest, and that is refreshing. Be prepared for a lot of repetitive burlesque-type double entendre, but also a hearty dose of wanderlust from two men who clearly love the town, warts and all.

Be forewarned, you can't take the kiddies to half the places they review. And, they certainly don't "recommend" they just "share the wealth." These are places you might not know exist, or even care to visit except for their appraisals. And, yes, there are even some places you can take the kiddies. There are places tucked into corners, restaurants with lousy food and rude employees that still sound like a great film noir. I have this book at my side whenever I venture to L.A. and its environs, or when I just need a good laugh. And, you will have plenty of those. I highly recommend it.