L a Lore

by Stephen Brook

Poised on the spiritual and physical edge of America, the city of Los Angeles offers many insights into this country, insights that are wittily explored in a collection of freewheeling essays on the complex and varied city of angels

Genres: Travel

480 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 1992

About the author

Stephen Brook has been a contributing editor to Decanter since 1996 and has won a clutch of awards for his writing on wine. The author of more than 30 books, his works include Complete Bordeaux, now the definitive study of the region and in its third edition, and The Wines of California, which won three awards. His most recently published book is The Wines of Austria. Brook also fully revised the last two editions of Hugh Johnson’s Wine Companion, and he writes for magazines in many countries.

Reviews

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, compassionate, intelligent look at my city by a British author. A reverse on Bill Bryson abroad somewhat. Brook undertook the task of visiting such LA landmarks as the Crystal Cathedral, the Nixon presidential library and Forest lawn cemetery so I don't have to. A dry wit and and a reluctance to buy into what was being sold made it really fun to piggyback on his explorations. He especially nailed the New Age personal growth market "relentless self absorption can be disguised as coming to terms with the inner child..." Brook also captured what I love about LA, it's zaniness, it's free spirit, it's eclecticism.
Reading a book published in '91 also had this fascinating time travel effect, knowing where we end up 20 plus years later...

[Ryan]

A super fun collection of short essays about different aspects of life in Los Angeles from Beverly Hills to Watts as seen by a British tourist. Published in 1993, and written primarily in 1991, it is definitely dated but readable and entertaining. And of course, catty as hell.

[Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

English journalist Stephen Brook lived in Los Angeles for three months right after the first Gulf War (circa 1991). He writes about his impressions in the nonfiction L.A. Days, L.A. Nights.

I first read this book in 2001 and had a favorable impression of it. I rarely reread anything, but decided to snatch this one up when I saw it in a thrift store for $1. I was surprised that it didn’t hold up as well on the second reading.

In my humble opinion, Brooks’ main problem is a lack of originality. If you want to offer value as a social commentator, you have to be original. But Brooks seldom offers unique insights about Los Angeles. For instance, his discussion of the Rodney King fiasco manages to cover just about every worn-out phrase anyone has ever applied to that infinitely-discussed case.

Has this book aged poorly? Or have I changed over the years? I don’t know. But given the lack of originality, L.A. Days, L.A. Nights is simply too long at 362 pages.

[Adam · Rating 1 out of 5]

An unknown former editor attempts to put together humorous anecdotes about Los Angeles in California, but fails due to the fact he is a misogynistic sexist Jew that rarely if ever talks to real people and connects with the personalities. Also tries to impress with some fancy words that aren't in dictionaries and obscure terms from architecture. It's incredible that Vogue ever published articles by this idiot. I guess it was a sympathy paycheck for an unemployed unemployable dick that spent years drooling at pretty inanimate objects up for auction at Christies and Sotheby's.