Mapping the Literary Landscape of Los Angleles
Is there such a thing as L.A. Lit?
We're starting to think so.
Students in Scott Bryson's Freshman English courses at Mount St. Mary's College are currently constructing this website devoted to the phenomenon of Los Angeles Literature. We realize that for many people, the terms "Los Angeles" and "literature" don't seem to go together, and we are aware of our city's reputation for shallowness and superficiality. Still, despite this (in some cases fair) criticism, we feel that we can make a pretty compelling argument that a great deal of good writing has emerged and is continuing to emerge from Los Angeles. On our website, we attempt to make this case.
Click here to read more about the project.
Los Angeles Novels, Short Stories, and Plays
Click on the novel titles below for resources on these works. (This list of books will grow over the next few semesters, and we'll be adding poetry as well.)
 The Big Sleep Raymond Chandler |
  Less Than Zero Bret Easton Ellis |
 Tropic of Orange Karen Tei Yamashita |
 Devil in a Blue Dress Walter Mosley |
 The Republic of East L.A.: Stories Luis J. Rodriguez |
 Play it as it Lays Joan Didion |
 The Revolt of the Cockroach People Oscar Zeta Acosta |
 Day of the Locust Nathanael West |
 If He Hollers Let Him Go Chester Himes |
 LA Requiem Robert Crais |
 Zoot Suit and Other Plays Luis Valdez |
 In the Heart of the Valley of Love Cynthia Kadohata |
|
 Walkin' The Dog Walter Mosley |
 Ask the Dust John Fante (under construction) |
 The Handyman Carolyn See |
 Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith Gina B. Nahai |
 Locas Yxta Maya Murray |
 Eulogy for a Brown Angel Lucha Corpi |
 Golden Days Carolyn See |
The rationale. A brief explanation of the underlying principles that guide and justify this project as an academic exercise.
The assignment. An abbreviated version of the instructions students were given as they began this project.
The syllabus. An example of the syllabus students see for the Writing about L.A. Literature course.
Bibliography: Los Angeles Literature. An extensive, if still incomplete, partially annotated bibliography on L.A. Literature.
Where to start. If you're coming to L.A. Lit for the first time, here's a list of secondary/critical books you'll definitely want to check out. (under construction)
Our site in the news:
**We've made every attempt to document materials appearing on this site. If you find information that should be more clearly attributed, please let us know.
**For more information or to offer feedback, contact Scott Bryson: sbryson@msmc.la.edu.