andbarr_'s review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
3.0
First, a quote from Goodreads reader "David":
"Do not read this book. It's about despicable people doing despicable things.
In other words, it's about being human in the most essential sense of the term.
You will not like it because you have to like the characters you read about. Or because it's too dull or cold or passe. Or because it's misanthropic or misogynistic.
It's really none of these things, but you'll think it is and say it is and you'll be angry and spiteful and write another tired anti-Ellis review. Another tired anti-postmodernism review."
First it meandered through it's plot, I would advise potential readers -- and if you're reading this now, that may mean you -- don't read any reviews of this book. Stop reading this right now. It's written in a fairly elliptical way, with dialogue faintly sketching and shading in the bones of the plot, and so anything you do know will take away from what's there.
"Do not read this book. It's about despicable people doing despicable things.
In other words, it's about being human in the most essential sense of the term.
You will not like it because you have to like the characters you read about. Or because it's too dull or cold or passe. Or because it's misanthropic or misogynistic.
It's really none of these things, but you'll think it is and say it is and you'll be angry and spiteful and write another tired anti-Ellis review. Another tired anti-postmodernism review."
First it meandered through it's plot, I would advise potential readers -- and if you're reading this now, that may mean you -- don't read any reviews of this book. Stop reading this right now. It's written in a fairly elliptical way, with dialogue faintly sketching and shading in the bones of the plot, and so anything you do know will take away from what's there.
rubiemn's review
dark
funny
sad
fast-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
secuoya777's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ionaneill's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chelseamartinez's review against another edition
1.0
Well there was a part about looking at a human skull right at the end that was just so ridiculous I laughed. I hated this book in the same way I hated La La Land.
bundy23's review against another edition
2.0
Dull as fuck with a sick final chapter that comes out of nowhere and doesn't fit the rest of the book at all.
ingalls1969's review against another edition
1.0
I just finished "Imperial Bedrooms" and I have an overwhelming urge to take a long, hot shower.
Full disclosure: I read Bret Easton Ellis' debut novel, "Less Than Zero," when I was in high school, about a year after it was published. I loved it and feel that its stature as a literary landmark is completely justified.
"Imperial Bedrooms" is a sequel to "Less Than Zero." It's 25 years later, and the college-age main characters from Ellis' book get back together in Los Angeles, where the lead character, Clay - now a successful screenwriter - has temporarily relocated. There he meets up with newly clean-and-sober Julian, the now relatively stable Blair, and creepy, toxic drug dealer Rip, who is now unrecognizable under numerous plastic surgeries.
I don't know where to start. First of all, 25 years later, at a scant 169 pages, this sequel is definitely "too little, too late." Its impact in relation to the first book reminds me of the fourth Die Hard movie. Why now, and why at all? Actually, to answer the second part of that question: I was definitely interested in reading about these characters and what they've been up to. I wouldn't have picked up the book otherwise. But man, was I disappointed.
First of all, I realize that the characters were immoral and depraved the first time around, but Ellis kicks those qualities into overdrive with this book. "Less Than Zero" had its share of grotesque, unpleasant scenes, but here he seems to be doing it just to prove that he can. It's as if he wanted to relive the success of "American Psycho."
In the first book, Clay seems to have at least some minor semblance of morality, but here, he becomes Patrick Bateman's cousin or something. There is nothing even remotely close to a moral compass in this book. I hated every single character.
Forget about the rampant materialism. Forget about the complete lack of anything resembling compassion or altruism. Forget about the constant flow of drink and drugs. These people are just boring and the casual air with which they practice their nihilism is completely uninteresting. The story line - what there is of it - attempts to be some incoherent combination of a love triangle and a murder mystery.
These characters were compelling when they were in college, but they're in their forties now. Now they're just embarrassing caricatures.
I haven't given up on Bret Easton Ellis. But I'm definitely done with Clay, Blair, Julian and Rip.p
Full disclosure: I read Bret Easton Ellis' debut novel, "Less Than Zero," when I was in high school, about a year after it was published. I loved it and feel that its stature as a literary landmark is completely justified.
"Imperial Bedrooms" is a sequel to "Less Than Zero." It's 25 years later, and the college-age main characters from Ellis' book get back together in Los Angeles, where the lead character, Clay - now a successful screenwriter - has temporarily relocated. There he meets up with newly clean-and-sober Julian, the now relatively stable Blair, and creepy, toxic drug dealer Rip, who is now unrecognizable under numerous plastic surgeries.
I don't know where to start. First of all, 25 years later, at a scant 169 pages, this sequel is definitely "too little, too late." Its impact in relation to the first book reminds me of the fourth Die Hard movie. Why now, and why at all? Actually, to answer the second part of that question: I was definitely interested in reading about these characters and what they've been up to. I wouldn't have picked up the book otherwise. But man, was I disappointed.
First of all, I realize that the characters were immoral and depraved the first time around, but Ellis kicks those qualities into overdrive with this book. "Less Than Zero" had its share of grotesque, unpleasant scenes, but here he seems to be doing it just to prove that he can. It's as if he wanted to relive the success of "American Psycho."
In the first book, Clay seems to have at least some minor semblance of morality, but here, he becomes Patrick Bateman's cousin or something. There is nothing even remotely close to a moral compass in this book. I hated every single character.
Forget about the rampant materialism. Forget about the complete lack of anything resembling compassion or altruism. Forget about the constant flow of drink and drugs. These people are just boring and the casual air with which they practice their nihilism is completely uninteresting. The story line - what there is of it - attempts to be some incoherent combination of a love triangle and a murder mystery.
These characters were compelling when they were in college, but they're in their forties now. Now they're just embarrassing caricatures.
I haven't given up on Bret Easton Ellis. But I'm definitely done with Clay, Blair, Julian and Rip.p