Friday 29 April 2011

Bret Easton Ellis; Less Than Zero

There is great difficulty in rating the quality of this book, as ratings are hard when feeling overwhelmingly unnerved rather than entertained or intrigued. This early work of Ellis is a forbearer for his future dark novels such as, "The Rules of Attraction," and "American Psycho." This novel gives us a clear indication of who Bret Easton Ellis is; he is undoubtedly a brilliant author who compels us to view the eyes of a dark world through his even darker protagonists.

The novel is presented through the eyes of Clay, an affluent college student who has returned to Los Angeles during the winter. Throughout the novel Clay is shown to take drugs and attend various parties where illicit and increasingly illegal acts take place. Eventually this party like atmosphere extends to his everyday life, profoundly affecting his personality as well as his strained relationship with his former girlfriend Blair. As Clay's life and the lives of those around him descend into chaos the reader is given a real insight into the dark side of the "MTV generation."

At times this book can be profound nearing on the philosophical, lines such as "people are afraid to merge on the freeway," can be seen as a metaphor for our increasingly isolated lives. However, all too often Ellis seems to be repulsive for the sake of being so, frequent graphic depictions of rape do not further our understanding of the novel nor do they illustrate Ellis' literary worth.

If not perfect this book can be seen as a key text in laying the foundations for the modern dystopian novel. This bleak outlook on human nature is both compelling and frightening, truly leading the reader to question if morality has a place in the modern world. If not stylistically perfect, this book is worth reading simply for an interesting, (if not harrowing,) view into the mind of a young confused college student. Hard to recommend due to its vulgarity, but certainly a book to prick the conscience of the modern reader.

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