Another City, Not My Own

Rating:
Summary: couldn't put it down
Review: This book looked at the Simpson trial from an interesting and daring perspective. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Rating:
Summary: A gossipy page-turner! A fun read.
Review: Although masked as "a novel in the form of a memoir", even if you are mildly informed about the O.J. trial and its players, it is easy to separate fact from fiction in ANOTHER CITY. If you're looking for an objective chronicle of the trial this is not a reliable source. Instead, view this as a glimpse of the glitterati,-- their opinions, their parties, their lifestyles (although namedropping and self-promoting at times). Sophisticated, discerning readers will view this as a page-turner that entertains so long as Dunne's strong assertions of O.J.'s guilt don't interfere with your having some fun.

Rating:
Summary: The Art of TELLING
Review: I can't remember another book, by an established author, that ignored the rule in writing-- show don't tell-- with such commitment. I have seen this narrow, flat writing in beginning fiction classes, but that is to be expected. Dunne gives us no scene set up or character development. He relies on his readers to fill in all the details, because we probably know the story. I found it tiresome to be told who the people were and what locations had been named in other books. Who cares? What's the story he's writing here? I've enjoyed Dunne's writing in the past and was amazed with the pages of dialogue accompanied by no details or description. I felt, by the end, that I was reading a trial transcript. What a let down. I really had been looking forward to his insight and twist on this well document moment in our history.

Rating:
Summary: Expected a great read ..... was very disappointed.
Review: I enjoyed "A Season in Purgatory" so much that I couldn't wait to read this book. I was very disappointed. I expected interesting information regarding the Simpson trial and instead was fed a steady diet of "hollywood parties" and name-dropping. It seems the Simpson trial was put on the "back burner" while things I didn't care about (like constant name-dropping) were pursued. Very disappointing........

Rating:
Summary: A wearying tale
Review: Although I really like Dunne's style (the novel in the form of a memoir), I soon became weary of all the name dropping and insistent repition of "This will make a great scene in my novel." It was almost as if Dunne were too clever for his own good. Even though it was difficult to wade through the names and descriptions of Dunne's friends (and enemies), the book itself was engaging and the commentary on the Simpson trial will be nothing new for readers of Dunne's Vanity Fair articles. However, I must state that I absolutely hated the not so surprising "surprise" ending. The addition of Andrew Cunanan in this book was one (in)famous name too many!

Rating:
Summary: Rivetting, interesting facts regarding O.J. case.
Review: Very good read. Lovely way of writing as if you were being talked to. Reader is challenged on several occasions. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Can't Be Dominick Dunne
Review: Dominick Dunne is a fabulous author -- witty and so insightful. This book was terrible. Did he really write it? Seems like he is trying to convince us what a popular guy he is by dropping every name he can think of. As if we care?! Plus, it's so passe. Big big disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: A captivating fact-based novel about the OJ Simpson trial
Review: Dominick Dunne approached the OJ Simpson case with the point of view of having a daughter who was a victim of a violent crime. Although he sat with Nicole Brown's family, he was open-minded enough to glean tidbits from the trial no-one else was in a position to get. He recounts them all, sharing them with the reader in this novel. Famous figures flock to Gus Bailey, the protagonist who is a stand-in for Dunne, all wanting to know about the trial. Nancy Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor, to name two. And you'll never guess what other well-known figure figures prominently in the novel's ending. Definitely check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed!
Review: Well I'm gratified to see that others were disappointed in Dunne's latest effort. Sometimes I think I expect too much ... especially since I had such fun (years ago, I admit) with The Two Mrs. Grenvilles. I generally choose my film by director, just as I am used to selecting books by authors. This just doesn't work all the time, does it?

Rating:
Summary: Rotten apple!
Review: I just finished reading this book and had to rush to the internet to find out if I was the only one who is absolutely stunned at the absurdity of this novel. Disbelief is my primary reaction. I honestly can't believe that such a fine author could take such an urgent subject and turn it into such an almost unreadable jumble of meandering fact and fiction. It was not engrossing enough for me to muster the energy to glean a possible hidden message. If there was one, it was very well hidden under tons of society minutae. If you haven't read any of his other books, please don't be put off by this one. It is the rotten apple in an otherwise juicy barrel.