James Ellroy as Historical Novelist

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Abstract
James Ellroy is one of the most popular (and possibly one of the most controversial) historical novelists writing today. This article suggests some ways in which historians might approach Ellroy's novels and some useful points of reference, whilst an accompanying interview gives Ellroy the chance to repond to the author's ideas. How does Ellroy understand history and his relation to it as a novelist? How does his vision and practice relate to and differ from the work of academic historians? And, more specifically, what are the themes and preoccupations that underlie Ellroy's portrait of 1950s and 1960s America? It will only be possible for historians to learn from and engage in productive dialogue with novelists like Ellroy if we judge their work on its own terms rather than dismiss it for failing to conform to ours.

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