The Big Somewhere: Essays on James Ellroy's Noir World - Critical

In this review of The Big Somewhere readers will find a focused, scholarly collection that examines why James Ellroy remains a defining voice in modern crime fiction. Intended for serious readers, students and critics, this volume assembles essays that link Ellroy's violent obsessions and the mythic underside of Los Angeles to his fiction; the single biggest reason to buy is its concentrated academic insight into the relationship between Ellroy's life and the noir landscape he depicts. The tone is analytical rather than introductory, so it rewards readers seeking depth over a casual overview.

Key Features

• Focused scholarship: The essays provide close readings that trace recurring themes, situating Ellroy's work within the traditions of crime writing and noir criticism.
• Biographical context: Contributors link Ellroy's personal history, including the unresolved murder of his mother, to his fictional preoccupations, offering a richer understanding of his motives.
• City as character: The book treats Los Angeles as a central force in Ellroy's fiction, showing how the city's criminal underworld shapes plot, atmosphere and moral complexity.
• Diverse contributors: Leading Ellroy scholars contribute varied perspectives, making the collection useful for comparative and classroom study.
• Critical breadth: Essays explore themes such as violence, redemption and the American Dream, helping readers connect Ellroy's obsessional narratives to larger cultural questions.

Who It's For

The Big Somewhere is best suited to readers familiar with James Ellroy's novels and interested in deeper critical engagement; graduate students, professors and committed crime fiction fans will find the essays particularly rewarding. Researchers looking for links between biography, place and genre will appreciate how contributors map Ellroy's life onto his novels.

Casual readers who want a primer on Ellroy or those seeking plot summaries should look elsewhere, since the book assumes prior knowledge of Ellroy's major works and favors analytic interpretation over introductory exposition.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides rigorous, well-argued essays that deepen understanding of Ellroy's themes and techniques.
• Effectively connects biographical events, such as the murder of Ellroy's mother, to recurring motifs in his fiction.
• Illuminates the role of Los Angeles as more than setting, framing it as a formative cultural force.
• Useful for academic courses and serious readers seeking scholarly commentary.

Cons

• The analytical, scholarly tone may be dense for readers seeking an accessible introduction to Ellroy.

Specifications

Title	The Big Somewhere: Essays on James Ellroy's Noir World
Editor/Author	Steven Powell
Subject	Critical essays on James Ellroy and noir
Focus	Biography, Los Angeles, crime fiction and noir criticism
Awards	Shortlisted for the H.R.F. Keating Award 2020
Audience	Scholars, students and committed readers of crime fiction

Our Verdict

For readers seeking a substantive, contextual study of James Ellroy, The Big Somewhere is a high-value collection that links biography and the noir city in illuminating ways. Its academic approach makes it a strong purchase for coursework and serious critical study, though those wanting a lighter introduction should consider more general surveys of crime fiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book discuss Ellroy's personal life?
Yes. Several essays examine Ellroy's biography, including the impact of his mother's unsolved murder, to explain recurring themes in his fiction.

Is the book suitable for newcomers to Ellroy?
Not primarily; the essays assume familiarity with Ellroy's major works and focus on analysis rather than basic summaries.

Is this a single-author study or an edited collection?
It is an edited volume featuring leading Ellroy scholars compiled by Steven Powell.