43 pages • 1 hour read
Less Than Zero
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Book Brief
208
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1980s
1985
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Bret Easton Ellis's debut novel, Less Than Zero, follows Clay, a college freshman, during his winter break in Los Angeles as he navigates a world of excess, superficiality, and moral decay among the city's wealthy youth. The novel portrays the disturbing realities of drug addiction, sex work, and various forms of abuse, revealing Clay's growing disillusionment with his privileged but empty lifestyle.
Dark
Unnerving
Melancholic
Gritty
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
92,959 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis offers a stark, nihilistic portrayal of 1980s Los Angeles youth. Praised for its sharp, unrelenting prose and capturing the aimlessness of affluent teens, it has been criticized for its graphic content and perceived lack of depth in character development. The novel remains a compelling, albeit polarizing, snapshot of a decadent era.
Who Should Read Less Than Zero?
Readers who enjoy Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis typically relish edgy, dark narratives about affluent, disillusioned youth. Comparable to F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby for its portrayal of decadence, and Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City for its raw, urban vibe, this book appeals to those intrigued by moral ambiguity.
92,959 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Blair
Blair
Clay's on-again-off-again girlfriend, who is the daughter of a successful Los Angeles film director and participates in the party scene with her friends.
Julian
Julian
A childhood friend of Clay’s and a local drug dealer who struggles with addiction, known for his transition from an innocent child to a troubled young adult in the novel.
Trent
Trent
A bisexual male model and secondary character, known for his wealth and focus on obtaining cocaine, with little empathy or emotional connection to others.
Rip
Rip
Clay's drug dealer, depicted as a wealthy and reckless individual, and a secondary character with a notable disregard for morality.
208
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1980s
1985
Adult
18+ years
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