This slice of life captures the angst, ambition and dreamy abandon that comes with living in LA. A cast of characters going full-throttle after what they want, be it stardom or ransom, is by turns poignant and funny, with those flashes of I-know-that-girl recognizability that make you feel their pain and wish them the best. This novel breaks little bits off the edges of your heart and shows them to you.

I truly enjoyed Susan Compo's new book, Pretty Things. She is a fresh, engaging writer who gave me a glimpse of a culture I wouldn't have had access to otherwise. I found myself grinning over and over again at her clever manipulation of language and her hey-wait-a-minute-I-didn't-catch-that-right-away allusions. I enjoyed my moment in an unusual culture peopled with quirky and fascinating people. Thanks, Ms. Compo, for inviting me into your world.

Ever since I first read her back in the 80s (before she was published) I was mystified. NOw I am even more so! She's wonderful. Gets right to the heart of it!