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A review by nathansnook
Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Hot take: Actually enjoyed this a lot more than The Shards.
Where 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 lingers too long in moments, this book has enough tactility and inventive voice that creates something fresh, something breathtaking, like teen spirit mixed with Drakkar Noir for the first time. Effortless too. Bret's latest just doesn't have the same effect. Perhaps because of age, perhaps because of the times.
It's important to note that Bret's latest could not exist without this. If anything, 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢 is the framework for 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 in its atmosphere, but also in the way Bret positions plot to press the 2x speed button to get to where he needs. You don't get that with 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢. 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢 takes about a quarter of the way through to get to plot.
It's interesting to read this now where celebrity culture is dead. But Bret has always been a herald for culture, for following it, how it makes up most of the world, and how it made up most of the late 80's into the 90's. Name drops and designer brands. Places. People as points, shownotes, creates a richer and engrained way in the way we navigate the world. I think internet with its accessibility in information destroyed this.
Of course things need to be gatekept.
Of course things can't be democratic.
Because if not, then all hell breaks loose. All is brain rot. All is anti-intellectual.
Though there are kinks to Glamorama in its shape, size, and story, it's funny enough and bold enough in gore and sex that it pans out like good television. There's a grand rush to the last portion of the book. High entertainment, full of ennui, and desperate to be finished to the very end. Because, after all, his characters are always looking for a way out.
🥮🥮🥮
If you enjoyed this write-up, please consider purchasing my novella here.
Or find other thoughts on books and films here
Where 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 lingers too long in moments, this book has enough tactility and inventive voice that creates something fresh, something breathtaking, like teen spirit mixed with Drakkar Noir for the first time. Effortless too. Bret's latest just doesn't have the same effect. Perhaps because of age, perhaps because of the times.
It's important to note that Bret's latest could not exist without this. If anything, 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢 is the framework for 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 in its atmosphere, but also in the way Bret positions plot to press the 2x speed button to get to where he needs. You don't get that with 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢. 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢 takes about a quarter of the way through to get to plot.
It's interesting to read this now where celebrity culture is dead. But Bret has always been a herald for culture, for following it, how it makes up most of the world, and how it made up most of the late 80's into the 90's. Name drops and designer brands. Places. People as points, shownotes, creates a richer and engrained way in the way we navigate the world. I think internet with its accessibility in information destroyed this.
Of course things need to be gatekept.
Of course things can't be democratic.
Because if not, then all hell breaks loose. All is brain rot. All is anti-intellectual.
Though there are kinks to Glamorama in its shape, size, and story, it's funny enough and bold enough in gore and sex that it pans out like good television. There's a grand rush to the last portion of the book. High entertainment, full of ennui, and desperate to be finished to the very end. Because, after all, his characters are always looking for a way out.
🥮🥮🥮
If you enjoyed this write-up, please consider purchasing my novella here.
Or find other thoughts on books and films here