Another City, Not My Own: A Novel in the Form of a Memoir

It may sound strange using the adjective "entertaining" when it regards an account a man getting away with a double murder, but that's how I found Dominick Dunne's recalling of the O.J. Simpson "case." It was a fascinating read and far different from any other account of this famous murder and trial. I've read this book twice, now - when it came out, and then a few weeks ago. I was enthralled both times, although I couldn't help but shake my head over Dunne's obsession to name-drop and come to the wrong conclusions about what would happen at the trial. At least he was honest about it. Dunne might be an incurable name-dropper, but it helps make the book fun to read, even with such a serious topic. If you want to know how many of the Hollywood celebrities (i.e. Elizabeth Taylor), political folks (i.e. Nancy Reagan) victims friends (i.e. Faye Resnick) and many others were viewing Simpson's arrest and trial, it's all here in a very fast-paced, readable novel-style book. It is actually a memoir with Dunne using "Gus Bailey" as a fictional name for himself. I thought most of Bailey/Dunne's opinions were on the money and he was pretty fair in his portraits of those involved in the case. I was privleged to actually spend a day in the courtroom while meeting the Simpson and Goldman families - a day I'll never forget - and I had the same impressions of them as "Gus" did, which is probably another reason I enjoy reading this book.

I have read every word Dominick Dunne has ever written (at least the published ones). I simply devour this man's books like fine chocolates. This book was perhaps the most interesting of all the "O.J." books. It is indeed gossipy, but the whole tale of O.J. lent itself to that type of writing. This book really gives you an idea of the atmosphere in Los Angeles at the time of the trial, and bemoans that fact that somehow Ron and Nicole got lost in all the hoopla. Thoroughly enjoyable--I can't wait for his next one.

While at first glance, ANOTHER CITY, NOT MY OWN, seems to be a barely fictionalized first-person report by a writer covering the O.J. Simpson trial, it actually is far more significant than the news event it purportedly documents.There is no escaping that this "novel" (in the form of a "memoir," the cover of the book tells buyers) is a personal anecdote about author Dominick Dunne. As a result, it is self-revelatory in the extreme. Dunne does not spare himself when he recounts his life. The story of his marriage, and of his daughter's murder, inescapably are touching. Once this novel--or memoir--has been completed, these are the details which stay with a reader, not the additional account of the Simpson trial.There is no escaping that Dunne was born under some combined influence of stars and planets which has planted him, over and over, in places which allowed him to witness, from the inside, some of the most important social events of the 20th century. As a result, his memoir makes for fascinating reading.

Although this book is written in fiction form, it finally puts all the gossip, rumors & the facts in one place. The murders of Nicole Simpson & Ronald Goldman. This is a very unnerving account of the trial that proves if you have enough money you can do anything you want. It gives a great look at Los Angeles & the way the court system is a just another movie set for the wealthy & their attorneys, to perform on. I do like how the names of the guilty & innocent aren't change so you understand exactly who is being talked about without the guess work. Dominick Dunne does an outstanding job of telling a truly sad story & how the families were all effected by it. This is a great read for anyone wanting to read about the Simpson Murder trial without all the double talk.

I was an OJ trial junkie all the way from the white Bronco chase through the civil verdict. Dominick Dunne seems to capture the essence of the trial from the point of view of the 'rich and famous'...people who knew OJ and whose circles of friends overlapped with him. I literally could not put the book down...one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. The book seems to be Dunne's fictionalized autobiography. I'm not sure if all the events in the book really did occur, but it was written as a novel, so I just accepted them as part of the story. The only fly in the ointment of the entire book is the introduction of Andrew Cunanan, and how he figures into the end of the book. Not to give anything away, but it seems as though Cunanan was a last minute add-in that allowed Dunne to give the book the kind of ending he wanted to. Other than that, it was great!