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From Crosstown to Oblivion: A Novel That Explores the Dark Side of Urban Life

Colt Simmons

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Published in On The Head Of A Pin: A Novel From Crosstown To Oblivion

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James Ellroy's novel From Crosstown to Oblivion is a powerful and disturbing look at the underbelly of Los Angeles and the human cost of crime. The novel follows the story of a former LAPD detective who is haunted by his past and is drawn into a web of corruption and violence.

On the Head of a Pin: A Novel from Crosstown to Oblivion

by Walter Mosley

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1319 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

The novel begins with the murder of a young woman in a seedy motel room. Detective Lloyd Hopkins, a former LAPD detective who is now working as a private investigator, is hired to investigate the case. Hopkins quickly realizes that the murder is more complex than it seems, and he soon finds himself drawn into a web of corruption and violence that reaches the highest levels of the LAPD.

As Hopkins investigates the case, he is haunted by his own past. Hopkins was once a rising star in the LAPD, but his career was derailed by a series of personal tragedies. Hopkins' wife was murdered, and his daughter was kidnapped and never found. Hopkins was unable to cope with these losses, and he descended into a spiral of alcohol abuse and self-destruction.

Hopkins' past comes back to haunt him as he investigates the murder of the young woman. Hopkins begins to suspect that the murder is connected to his own wife's murder, and he becomes obsessed with finding the killer. Hopkins' obsession with the case leads him down a dangerous path, and he soon finds himself in over his head.

From Crosstown to Oblivion is a powerful and disturbing novel that explores the dark side of urban life. The novel is a unflinching look at the corruption and violence that can be found in the heart of the city, and it is a reminder of the human cost of crime.

Characters

Lloyd Hopkins: A former LAPD detective who is now working as a private investigator. Hopkins is haunted by his past, and he is drawn into a web of corruption and violence as he investigates the murder of a young woman.
Joan Rosen: A young woman who is murdered in a seedy motel room. Rosen's murder is the catalyst for Hopkins' investigation, and it soon becomes clear that her death is connected to a much larger conspiracy.
Dudley Smith: A corrupt LAPD detective who is involved in the conspiracy that leads to Rosen's murder. Smith is a ruthless and ambitious man, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Buzz Meeks: A former LAPD detective who is now working as a private investigator. Meeks is a close friend of Hopkins, and he helps Hopkins investigate the murder of Rosen.
Elizabeth Short: A young woman who was murdered in Los Angeles in 1947. Short's murder is known as the "Black Dahlia" murder, and it is one of the most famous unsolved murders in American history. Short's murder is mentioned several times in From Crosstown to Oblivion, and it is clear that Ellroy is fascinated by the case.

Themes

Corruption: From Crosstown to Oblivion is a novel about corruption, both in the LAPD and in the city of Los Angeles as a whole. Ellroy shows how corruption can lead to violence and murder, and he argues that it is a cancer that is eating away at the heart of the city.
Violence: Violence is a central theme in From Crosstown to Oblivion. Ellroy's novel is unflinching in its depiction of violence, and he shows how it can destroy lives and tear families apart.
Loss: Loss is another major theme in From Crosstown to Oblivion. Ellroy's novel explores the different ways that people can lose everything, and he shows how loss can lead to despair and violence.
Memory: Memory is a powerful force in From Crosstown to Oblivion. Ellroy's novel explores how memories can shape our lives, and he shows how the past can come back to haunt us in the present.

Style

Ellroy's writing style is unique and distinctive. He is known for his use of short, staccato sentences and his vivid, often violent imagery. Ellroy's style is perfectly suited to the subject matter of From Crosstown to Oblivion, and it helps to create a sense of urgency and immediacy.

Critical Reception

From Crosstown to Oblivion was met with critical acclaim upon its release. The novel was praised for its powerful storytelling, its unflinching depiction of violence, and its exploration of complex themes. From Crosstown to Oblivion was nominated for several awards, and it won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1996.

On the Head of a Pin: A Novel from Crosstown to Oblivion

by Walter Mosley

4.3 out of 5