Reviews

The Rules of Attraction, by Bret Easton Ellis

Only show reviews with written explanations

jesuisfarouche's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

alanalikeswords's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Rich college students don't care about much except for sex, drugs, alcohol and people who don't care about them. Still fun to read though.

silee's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

An expectation/reality book about attraction and feelings.

medeazorba's review against another edition

Go to review page

This was my first Bret Easton Ellis media (having not read his other books nor seen any of the movies based on them), but I happened upon this when looking for examples of stories featuring mainly unlikeable characters. Boy, did this book deliver there. Every time I put it down, I’d say, “Ugh, this stupid book.” But I continued to pick it up again. It made me feel a sense of ennui and nothingness. I just pitied and/or hated all the characters. I didn’t like the book. But I kind of think I’m not supposed to; that’s the point. And if that’s the point, this book was successful. Respect.

llustem's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

mirandaandtitania's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

it was like less than zero but worse. Sean was very amusing to read from, i felt sorry for lauren and paul even though they were both arseholes too - i guess thats the point.

“I want to write this feeling down, or draw it out, but then I feel like that would make the whole thing seem impure and artificial. I decide it will only cheapen the feeling and so I lay there in the white brightness and think of memories the song brings me.”

“There are things that I will never do: I will never buy cheese popcorn in The Pub. I will never tell a video game to fuck off. I will never erase graffiti about myself that I happen to catch in bathrooms on campus. I will never sleep with anyone but Lauren. I will never throw a pumpkin at her door. I will never play “Burning Down the House” on the jukebox.”