Less Than Zero

Less Than Zero 

Author : Bret Easton Ellis

Year Published : 1985

“I don't have anything to lose.”

Excerpt From: Less Than Zero. 

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Less than Zero is first published novel by Bret Easton Ellis in 1985. Bret Easton Ellis is known by his work; American Psycho. 

Following my literature marathon, after Catcher in the Rye, Less Than Zero also recommended to readers who love the same typical perpective-first person narration.

It is Clay, the first person in the novel. Clay was home for Christmas break. He is 18 years old and going to New Hampshire for College. 

Clay is living in high-end housing in L.A. His parents were divorced. He was living with his mother and sisters while his father-a success bussinessman living separately.

The main story of this novel is Clay 'adventure' night by night with less consciousness. He went arround from party to party, doing one night stand, using drugs, and met his old friend and ex-girl friend.

He revives his old life by meeting his ex-girlfriend, Blair- a famous producer daughter and several friends like Trent- a male model, Julian - Clay's longest friend from grade school and any others friends like Rip -Clay's drug dealer, Finn - Julian's Pimp, Kim - Blair's girl friend and so on (trust me, there are so many character there that I couldn't remember at all).

Clay is careless person. He doesn't want to know what other's business or feeling. The only thing he remembered a lot is his memory about his grandmother that died because pancreas cancer. Clay also went to pshyciatric but did'nt mentioned the reason why he went there. I assume because his addiction and personality disorder.  How careless Clay is shown when he said:

“I don't want to care. If I care about things, it'll just be worse, it'll just be another thing to worry about. It's less painful if I don't care.” Clay said when Blair asked whether Clay ever care to her. 

But, finally Clay also showed a little emotion or concern when he knew that Rip have a 12 yeard old girl kept in his house to be a sex slave. Clay asked Rip why he do that and it was not right. Then Rip just answer; 

“What's right? If you want something, you have the right to take it. If you want to do something, you have the right to do it.”

The setting itself is high society in L.A. Almost every time when Clay go to party, he meet actor, model, producer, or just socialita. It is like Clay's Documentary with lot of dramas (that told with less dramatic) like OD, abortion, prostitute, drug addiction. 

I must admit when I read this novel, at first I get bored and confuse. There is no meaning conversation, no inspirational thoughts and the dictionary is constantly repeated. 

But then, I realized that Clay is real. That's how someone with drug addict's thinking! Unfocused and meaningless. No wonder if in the cover of the book written that "One of the most disturbing novel I've read in long time'. I couldn't agree no more, there is no lesson learn I could get except how scary thus society, but I must admit Less Than Zero is enchanting by its own way, The Novel is unique. Readers are asked to thinking and assume by their self. 

Don't expect any sentimental moment, or beautiful quote from this novel. Well, I don't know how to put it, but yes this novel is sooooo different from any other novel I've read. Remarkable!!!

You can download the e-book version of Less Than Zero here!

You might also like : (first person perspective novel)
The Perks of being Wallflower
the Catcher in the Rye
The Great Gatsby
The Stranger
The Outsiders

Or the classic novel
Pride and Prejudice

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