Rating: 
Summary: Abysmal and Vapid
Review: Rarely does a movie improve upon a story told in a book; especially when the movie stars people like Andrew McCarthy. Yet even keeping that in mind, this book makes its film counterpart appear to be in the same class of cinematic achievment as "Lawrence of Arabia." I can honestly say that I have never read a novel with as little merit -- in terms of both style and substance -- as "Less Than Zero."In attempting to point out the shortcomings of his characters, Brett Easton Ellis actually appears to sympathize with them -- never do any of the people in this novel realize how shallow their lifestyle truly is. Furthermore, he uses a ludicrous, staccato style of writing, which accomplishes nothing so much as making the work seem like an MTV video. This book is the intellectual equivalent of watching Duran Duran videos while snorting coke.
Rating:
Summary: The handwriting on the wall says "Palahniuk"
Review: I first finished this book last summer, and clearly remember feeling robbed and violated. The protagonist is written as being tremendously apathetic, but carries absolutely no message. (For unfeeling characters with something to say, see Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye", or Camus's "The Stranger.")Poorly written prose creates a text with literally no entertainment value, and hardly any redeeming qualities. Those of you reviewers who seem to think this novel speaks volumes about youth need to remember that very few of us are braindead richkids with no direction. For a writer with a talent, and a message to boot, I suggest you look up Chuck Palahniuk, and "Fight Club."
Rating: 
Summary: if you want something...you have the right to do it
Review: Clay returns home from his eastern college(symbolizing maturity) to his California home and past(symbolizing adolesence). That's the crux of the novel...now the more interesting points and examination of the 1980's and California lifestyle. Clay is seen as a detached observer while back at home, despite being apart of the peer group the novel follows around from club to party, to restaurant. Look at Clay as an example of Shakespeare's Hamlet(ailed by Hesitstion). We ceratinly see Clay's shortcoming when he fails to react/save the 12 year-old girl who is tied to the bed at the party. In this very same scene we see Ellis' theme of the novel: "If you want something...you have the right to do it." Throughout the novel we see the destruction of LA, a city that is prone to excess and decadence. Also revealed in the following scenes: Clay's sisters are permittd to watch pornographic films, the dog eats a cigarette but(showing that even animals behave in unnatural ways), we can even look at the hot weather as a symbol of the apocalypic decline of the city. One scene that really stands out of the fall of LA and it's citizens is when Clay's friends are watching a "snuff" movie-clearly showing that murder and rape are condoned as entertainment. At the end of the novel we see Clay leaving LA...we assume to return to school and never return...Wondering if Ellis ever returned to LA...and wondering when the catharsis happened? If you enjoy this novel, from contemporary fiction's "bad-boy", try _Bright Lights, Big City_ by McInerney, Ellis' _American Psycho_, and _Mysteries of Pittsburgh_ by Chabon...all three deal with the seedy life of the american city in the 1980's.
Rating: 
Summary: Salinger wannbe...
Review: I was turned off by Less Than Zer0 when it became evident that Elias modeled his antihero, Clay, after Holden Caufield. Ellis disappointed me with this attempt at a different Catcher In the Rye. This book is no 'Catcher' and is just a waste of time. Clay and his freinds are a disgusting lot who have everything they could ever want but manage to mess it up in a world or drugs, booze, parties and fast cars. Much like the children of hollywood often do. (ie: Michael Douglas' kid)
Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing with a Capitol D
Review: Can I think of a more disturbing, more frightening novel than Less than Zero? That's a good question to ask, despite the fact that I'm behind it, but no, I don't think I can. Among others the antihero Clay is so empty, so dead inside that American Psycho's Patrick Bateman is nothing but a baby. LTZ scared the frag out of me. No humor in it at all, nothing but empty people, indifferent, rich, young, empty Beverly Hills people. Not actually a joy to read, but outstanding nonetheless.
Rating:
Summary: A depraved little piece.
Review: A story about a bunch of high-born low-lives indulging their nerve-endings while waiting for something, *anything*, to happen. A west-coast "Kids."
Rating:
Summary: a californian nightmare
Review: Ellis perfectly describes emptiness and boredom with his typical cold blood and clinical style. You've got the impression that nothing happens in Clay's life until you feel caught in his nightmare. Of course don't take this gloomy book seriously, it describes an invented California full of rich, handsome and junky blond heroes. Ellis'story is horribly depressing as his characters are dead inside but his style is a new form of litterature by itself.
Rating: 
Summary: When you start at the top, there's nowhere to go but down.
Review: In this book, life in LA is composed equally of things, drugs, and casual sex. Everyone's bored. Everyone's utterly self-involved. Everyone's waiting for something, *anything*, to happen. No-one has any ambition. No-one's doing anything but partying and trying to look good. Life is the stimulation of nerve endings. It makes you wonder why the characters bother to live their sad little lives. In tone, if not substance, this book reminds me of "Resentment," by Gary Indiana. If this truly is life in LA, then I'm filled with sadness and pity.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book about the Shallowness of Club Life
Review: When one is young, club life looks exciting and dangerous. But when one gets beyond the surface of club life, its true empty nature shows itself. No one has shown this more accurately than BEE in LTZ
Rating:
Summary: Bret Easton Ellis captures the essence of materialism.
Review: The book was a disturbing account of a a young man, who is possibly questioning his materialistic life. Clay is disturbed by the amorality and causal nihilism of his counterparts. The callousness of this elite society shocked and disturbed my young country bumpkin mind. I never imagined the sheer brutality that materialism could and will cause. All the characters in the book have no concern for anyone but themselves. Ellis vividly demonstrates their apathy in many harrowing scenes. I strongly suggest this novel--it enlightens (or shocks)the naivest of minds.
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