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readingguy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abortion, Animal death, and Rape
Minor: Eating disorder
kelly_twardziak's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I first read Ellis's Rules of Attraction earlier this year and absolutely loved it, so I picked up Less Than Zero when I saw it at a used book store. Maybe its because I went to a small New England liberal arts school and have never been to California, let alone LA, but I couldn't get into this book as much as I did RoA. There were moments of levity and I continue to enjoy Ellis's sparse, in-the-moment style of writing, but overall this book was incredibly depressing and left me longing for Clay to be a more active protagonist. I understand the point of his character is his passivity and his complicity in everything around him, but it made for a frustrating and saddening read.
Not a bad book, I understand why it popped off in the 80s, just very depressing.
Not a bad book, I understand why it popped off in the 80s, just very depressing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Eating disorder
illona_loves_reading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a hard read, not because it was poorly written or anything but because it was hard to relate to. The characters are all so disconnected from life and almost from the real world. Which is probably the point. The characters weren’t particularly likable, the only (very slightly maybe if I squint) redeemable one would be the main character but it’s all shades of grey. I am glad I read it but I wouldn’t have called the read particularly enjoyable, I had to go and watch a Disney movie afterwards to cheer myself up!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Death
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