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miss_modular's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
stefo's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
Bret Easton Ellis is a sick and depraved person, he knows this, its made apparent by the fact that Less Than Zero relates a lot to his teenage years in LA, It seems he sometimes projects himself through Clay, the main character of Less Than Zero and this here book. Clay is one of the most cruel characters I've ever read, he has no redeeming qualities and despite being aware of his wrongdoings he continues to be a self absorbed prick, he doesn't develop, in fact, he "declines". I'm trying to put into words my fascination with Ellis and his books, even though I don't fully enjoy them or think they're all that special, there's just something so bleak and depressing in them, its kind of impressive.
As far as the book goes its actually alright, I really liked the more meta commentary at the start and the "decline" of the awful characters from Less Than Zero. The story was tense even though I really didn't care for Clay, in fact the story became interesting because of the results of his apathy and self-absorbance.
All in all I'm left empty. Fuck you Ellis.
As far as the book goes its actually alright, I really liked the more meta commentary at the start and the "decline" of the awful characters from Less Than Zero. The story was tense even though I really didn't care for Clay, in fact the story became interesting because of the results of his apathy and self-absorbance.
All in all I'm left empty. Fuck you Ellis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Murder, Toxic relationship, Gore, Blood, Stalking, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pedophilia, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
opeyer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Firstly, you should probably read BEE's other books before this one. They make up a series and run in sequence of release order.
That being said, I really liked this despite there being a lot of people who feel otherwise. It is an exploration of a terrible, irredeemable human being that will make you feel crawly all over. It is a great way to end the journey (though The Shards is about to change that). If you liked Less Than Zero, you will probably like this.
That being said, I really liked this despite there being a lot of people who feel otherwise. It is an exploration of a terrible, irredeemable human being that will make you feel crawly all over. It is a great way to end the journey (though The Shards is about to change that). If you liked Less Than Zero, you will probably like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual violence, and Murder
typewriterworries's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
2.75
Very refreshing to read other reviews and see that there were readers, who like me, liked Less Than Zero and were disappointed with the sequel.
I read a review earlier that said Clay has gone from a "paralyzed observer to a more active character and has grown to be a narcissist" which couldn't be more true. I wasn't expecting redemption, heroism or even empathy from the characters in the sequel because the first book does a great job of showing you that they aren't good people and you shouldn't expect them to be.
However, with the sequel, it seems like Clay's character has taken such a drastic violent change that's simply just harder to digest; as most of the book is.
Violence isn't something Bret Easton Ellis has shied away from, I know this; I recently watched Smiley Face Killers, a screenplay written by him, and by the third act, I couldn't help but think, "This is definitely a Bret Easton Ellis work" because violence seems like a benchmark of some of his more notable work.
I think what makes this book a let down for me isn't the violence, the crudeness or the crass nature of most of the content but that it shockingly didn't grip me the way the first book did. I was intrigued by the sense of mystery woven into each act but as the story unfolded, and as Clay's patience wore thin, I found the book more of a chore to finish.
I wanted to finish it because I remember reading the first book and found myself bored but by the second half I was sucked in. I kept waiting for that moment with Imperial Bedrooms, but sadly it just didn't come.
I read a review earlier that said Clay has gone from a "paralyzed observer to a more active character and has grown to be a narcissist" which couldn't be more true. I wasn't expecting redemption, heroism or even empathy from the characters in the sequel because the first book does a great job of showing you that they aren't good people and you shouldn't expect them to be.
However, with the sequel, it seems like Clay's character has taken such a drastic violent change that's simply just harder to digest; as most of the book is.
Violence isn't something Bret Easton Ellis has shied away from, I know this; I recently watched Smiley Face Killers, a screenplay written by him, and by the third act, I couldn't help but think, "This is definitely a Bret Easton Ellis work" because violence seems like a benchmark of some of his more notable work.
I think what makes this book a let down for me isn't the violence, the crudeness or the crass nature of most of the content but that it shockingly didn't grip me the way the first book did. I was intrigued by the sense of mystery woven into each act but as the story unfolded, and as Clay's patience wore thin, I found the book more of a chore to finish.
I wanted to finish it because I remember reading the first book and found myself bored but by the second half I was sucked in. I kept waiting for that moment with Imperial Bedrooms, but sadly it just didn't come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
swinglifeaway's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
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