Reviews

The Complete Works of Nathanael West by Nathanael West

handytiga's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition

4.0

The story I actually finished reading here was “The Day of the Locust.” There’s some very interesting themes and ideas about Los Angeles and the promise of Hollywood and stardom in 1930s America, but through a darker view expressed through its characters. I’m curious about the other stories in this collection and will go back to them some time later.

manwithanagenda's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this last summer on a whim; I had shelved some books next to it and some of the titles were familiar. So I gave it a try...and completed it in two afternoons.

I was completely taken away by 'Miss Lonelyhearts', putting it in my heart right next to 'Franny and Zooey.' It is about the often ridiculous, but completely necessary quest for spirituality in one's life with a liberal dosage of post-war cynicism. The book is tragically funny, often heartbreaking. It is a black humor with a soul.

Of the other three novesl, 'Balso Snell' is an exercise in the ludicrous, 'A Cool Million' biting satire and 'Day of the Locust', written after West moved to Hollywood to write screenplays, is proof that Hollywood was as tired and jaded then as it is now.

It was a great read and falls short of perfection only because Snell and Million seem underdeveloped. Read it and love it.