Love Me Fierce In Danger

Rezensionen / Stimmen

Here is 'the skinny' (as the subject himself might put it) on one of the most charismatic and complex crime writers on the planet, affording insights into both the man and his craft. It's every bit as gripping and twisted as a James Ellroy novel. Dig it, cats. * Ian Rankin * Powell brings out the conflicting sides of Ellroy's personality tactfully and sympathetically - without ever taking his eye off the truth ... [It] has all the pace, twists and shocks of a good crime novel. * The Times * A highly enjoyable read ... shrewd in its critiques of the work and jargon-free - an academic biography in the best sense. I suspect it will spoil the genre of literary biography for me for a while: can the life of any other living writer be anywhere near as horribly gripping? * The Daily Telegraph * Steven Powell's brilliant, unflinching biography reveals how the novelist's obsessions have their roots in the extraordinary experiences of his childhood and early years ... Powell scrupulously chronicles Ellroy's hectic career: his compulsive womanising; lapses in sobriety; near nervous breakdowns; and attention grabbing performances as the self-styled 'Demon Dog of American Crime Fiction'... According to his ex-wife, Helen Knode: 'James lives life like he was shot out of a cannon.' This gripping, illuminating biography not only throws light on just what she meant by that. It also reveals why he does so. * The Daily Mail * Sober ... Powell's unruffled approach is a shrewd way of tackling Ellroy's sensational life and imagination. * Literary Review * [A] stark, revealing account of [Ellroy's] life. * The Independent * When it comes to James Ellroy, [Powell] is the go-to expert who plays sleuth to the inventor of many an L.A. sleuth. . . . The same obsessive thread that runs through all of Ellroy's work also weaves kinetically through Powell's prose. In this latest book, he reveals nuances of the epic writer's life and process that only an Ellroy expert can. * Brooklyn Rail * Powell's biography is wonderful, a must-read. . . . It is a testament to him and to his subject. * Hedgehog Review * An essential purchase for anyone interested in modern American crime fiction, couched in prose that is as lively as its uncompromising subject. * Crime Time * Contributes a wealth of material and insight into Ellroy's private life and personal struggles. . . . Love Me Fierce In Danger is a substantial work of literary scholarship. . . . A must read for fans and scholars of contemporary American crime fiction. * Pulp Curry * Whatever we thought we knew about the Demon Dog of American Literature, we were wrong; Love Me Fierce in Danger is as revelatory as it is compelling, and a masterpiece of literary biography: James Ellroy deserves no less. * David Peace * Unflinching in detailing the life of one of the living greats of crime fiction ... As biographies go, this one is quite a ride. * Shots magazine * Steven Powell's biography is notably short on longueurs ... Powell has clearly worked hard to do justice to his subject. * The Spectator * Provides fascinating revelations about the life of James and his remarkable parents, Jean & Armand. It is amazing how much new information the biography provides-in clear and eloquent fashion. . . . This is a testament to Steven's rigorous research and his unprecedented access to Mr. Ellroy, his friends, his family, former lovers and former colleagues. * Apocalypse Confidential * Equal parts literary examination of Ellroy's stylistic and thematic journey and a fulsome exploration of his personal struggles. . . . A rich and sprawling read. * Zoomer Magazine * From countless interviews with friends, family peers, former lovers, literary and film collaborators, as well as extensive interviews with Ellroy himself, author Steven Powell pulls back the curtain on the life of this enigmatic, often bombastic, charismatic and complex author. The tale he reveals is every bit as gripping, twisted, dark and provocative as any of Ellroy's dozen novels. * The Irish Scene * Steven Powell's Love Me Fierce in Danger (the title taken from an inscription Ellroy wrote on the back of a photo of one of his ex-wives) describes Ellroy's youthful descent into an abyss of alcoholism, drug abuse, crime, jail, mental illness, and homelessness and is a must-read for his fans. [...] An insightful, no-holds-barred examination of what makes the strange author of The Black Dahlia, L.A. Confidential, White Jazz, My Dark Places, and other books tick. * Washington Independent Review of Books * Powell's book is ... a deeply revealing, expertly researched piece of work that succeeds both as a literary biography and a critical assessment of Ellroy's oeuvre. * ALH Review *