Less than Zero

"Less Than Zero," Bret Easton Ellis's debut novel, offers an unflinching depiction of privileged teenage life in Los Angeles, capturing scenes of excessive partying, substance use, and complex relationships. Narrated by an eighteen-year-old returning home for Christmas, the story explores themes of youthful hedonism and moral ambiguity without offering moral judgment. Celebrated for its raw, candid portrayal of a disaffected generation, the novel has become a cult classic.