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.

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.

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

- Less Than Zero was Bret Easton Ellis's debut novel, written while he was still a student at Bennington College and published in 1985 when he was only 21 years old.
- The novel has been noted for its minimalist style and detached, affectless narration, which became a defining characteristic of Ellis's work.
- Less Than Zero was adapted into a film in 1987, starring Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Robert Downey Jr., although the adaptation diverged significantly from the book's plot and tone.

**Clay**  
The novel’s first-person narrator and protagonist, a wealthy teenager from Los Angeles whose detached narrative style reflects his disaffection and aimless lifestyle during a holiday break from college.

**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**  
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**  
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**  
Clay's drug dealer, depicted as a wealthy and reckless individual, and a secondary character with a notable disregard for morality.

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