Closer

Dennis Cooper

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1989

Book Brief

Dennis Cooper

Closer

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1989

Book Details

Pages

144

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

1989

Audience

Adult

Super Short Summary

In Dennis Cooper’s Closer, George Miles, a passive and beautiful young gay man, navigates a series of sexual encounters with various characters in the desolate Midwest, each seeking meaning through their interactions with him. The novel explores themes of existential despair and the pursuit of pleasure amid suffering. It contains depictions of violence, sexual exploitation, and death.

Dark

Unnerving

Mysterious

Gritty

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Dennis Cooper's Closer elicits strong reactions for its raw portrayal of teenage angst and dark subject matter. Critics praise Cooper's poetic prose and his unflinching exploration of taboo themes. However, some find the graphic content disturbing and the characters difficult to relate to. Overall, the novel is recognized for its boldness and literary merit despite its controversial nature.

Who Should Read Closer?

Readers who enjoy Closer by Dennis Cooper are typically drawn to transgressive fiction that explores dark, visceral themes with unflinching honesty. Fans of Bret Easton Ellis' American Psycho and Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club will find a similar blend of intense narratives and disturbing beauty in Cooper's work.

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