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Less than Zero - Community Reviews back

by Bret Easton Ellis
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Bookish Blerd
Bookish Blerd rated it 6 years ago
I'm not even sure what to say about this one. It's written in first person, which I hate, and definite trigger warnings for drug abuse, rape, and just everything bad from the 80s. The story follows Clay, a rich kid home from college on winter break. Clay is a mess. He is not mentally stable an...
riley
riley rated it 9 years ago
On some level, this feels like an '80s LA Catcher in the Rye, albeit with richer and older kids, and drugs and prostitution. I feel like this may have been Ellis' intent, I also think that the acclaim that greeted it upon its release likely was due, in part to that comparison, however misguided. Hol...
Lornographic Material
Lornographic Material rated it 10 years ago
Less Than Zero is an affecting ridealong in a car full of coke-addled rich kids. The ending is properly shocking. I was, as was intended, thoroughly disgusted, as I'm sure you will be too. I didn't like a single character. The book has all the appeal of a trainwreck that causes a chemical spill at y...
Lovica
Lovica rated it 11 years ago
3 stars for writing and 1 star for structure.I can appreciate the well rendered voice and harsh vision of 80's hedonism among Hollywood rich kids, but I wouldn't call this a good book. Some of the writing is good; some of the characters (mostly the protagonist) feel real; some of the scenes are evoc...
Michael's Book Babble
Michael's Book Babble rated it 11 years ago
I think Bret Easton Ellis' Less Than Zero was not only my introduction to him, but it was also, I think, the first book I read where the narration was in present tense. Might seem awkward at first, but it really flowed. Later on, I'd end up trying my hand at writing short stories that way, and I rea...
JeffreyParis
JeffreyParis rated it 11 years ago
I re-read this as a prelude to reading Imperial Bedrooms, wanting to remember the characters a bit better in order to see how they are later re-imagined. There is so much to praise in Less Than Zero, though Ellis' youth in the end limits the sophistication of the pared down language. He is so adep...
O! what Man will do fore a Rime!
O! what Man will do fore a Rime! rated it 11 years ago
"No way, man." He runs his finger over the mirror and rubs it over his teeth and gums, then slips the mirror back into his pocket. "The trust is keeping things steady for now. I might go back when I run out. Only problem is, I don't think it's ever gonna run out," he laughs. "I got this totally cool...
Don't Stop Readin'
Don't Stop Readin' rated it 12 years ago
This might've been a shocking book for the '80s generation but not anymore. We already know more about rich kids and their deeds than this book offers.
warren
warren rated it 12 years ago
This book ranks a solid 3.5 stars, but I bumped it up due to the conversation about determining if he truly loved his ex-girlfriend at the end. It just helped show so much more of where Clay was coming from.Other than that, the book can be summarized as "Everybody does everybody. And drugs."
11811
11811 rated it 12 years ago
Ah, the vanity of the 80's. Good times. The valley girl voices on the audiobook are priceless. Highly recommended.
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