The Big NowhereThe Big Nowhere
Score Classic
What it's about
In the second novel of James Ellroy's L.A. Quartet, three men are caught in a massive web of ambition, perversion and deceit, in a remarkably vivid portrait of a remarkable time and place.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's a vivid portrait of a time and place.
You'll love it if you liked
L.A. Confidential
The Big Sleep
The Long GoodbyeGood to know
It's violent and written in Ellroy's clipped style. Read The Black Dahlia first if you can.
By the numbers
- Readers84 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller11 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Gripping
More by James Ellroy
If you like this, read next
The Godfather
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
The Name of the RoseExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Big Nowhere worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #1,079 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 72.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Big Nowhere about?
In the second novel of James Ellroy's L.A. Quartet, three men are caught in a massive web of ambition, perversion and deceit, in a remarkably vivid portrait of a remarkable time and place.
How long does it take to read The Big Nowhere?
About 12 hours (472 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Big Nowhere?
If you liked it, try L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy, The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler or The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler.