A review by kelly_twardziak
Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis

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. 
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