43 pages • 1 hour read
Bret Easton EllisLess Than Zero
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
American Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
Addiction / Substance Abuse
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
History: U.S.
Emotions/Behavior: Apathy
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Society: Class