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Bret Easton Ellis
American novelist
Less than Zero
Synopsis
Clay returns home from college for Christmas break, only to find himself immersed in the decadent and morally bankrupt world of early 1980s Los Angeles. Surrounded by extreme wealth and a pervasive sense of emptiness, he navigates a landscape of casual drug use and aimless parties. As he tries to reconnect with old friends, he's drawn into a spiral of desperation that exposes the dark underbelly of the city.
Genres
Characters
Colonel ClayProtagonist
Dr. BlairSupporting
Frequently asked questions
Is there a film adaptation of Less than Zero?
A film adaptation of Less than Zero was released in 1987, starring Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Robert Downey Jr. The movie significantly alters the plot and character arcs from the novel, particularly the ending and the protagonist's journey.
How does Less than Zero relate to Bret Easton Ellis's other novels?
Less than Zero introduces themes and a detached narrative style that are characteristic of Bret Easton Ellis's later works, exploring the ennui and moral decay of privileged youth. The protagonist, Clay, also reappears in later novels, providing a sense of continuity within Ellis's fictional universe.
What makes Less than Zero a significant book?
Less than Zero is notable for its unflinching portrayal of the dark side of 1980s youth culture in Los Angeles, capturing a specific moment in time with a stark, minimalist prose style. It is often cited as a defining novel of its generation and a key work in contemporary American literature.