I read Less Than Zero in my college dorm circa 1986. It was making the rounds in our group. I guess, as an English/creative writing major, what struck me was how easy he made writing seem. Short paragraphs, mostly filled with observational comments - MTV is on. Julian pops another cartridge in the video console and I leave. Not a verbatim quote, but when I was reading it I kept thinking "I can do this." Suffice it to say, I never did.
Ellis is a master stylist. I always felt the Hemingway in him. And Hemingway, like Scott Fitz saw, was bound for the museums because of that. Words that are chic, designer made—that's always something to celebrate.
He was doing an interview tour a couple of years ago. (when White came out) Saw him in SF. It was a very interesting event. He's a smarter guy than people give him credit for. Met him afterward and got a pic with him. It was very surreal.
This was very enjoyable and well written. To be fair, BEE would probably agree that the conversations were idle, vapid chatter. He seems to be some sort of cultural nihilist? His new book, "The Shards" was a bit more mature than his earlier offerings and I'd advise checking it out....although it is quite long.
Thanks so much, Gary. I do think BEE would agree with that. I want to read The Shards and see how it compares to Glamorama, which might be the masterwork.
I read Less Than Zero in my college dorm circa 1986. It was making the rounds in our group. I guess, as an English/creative writing major, what struck me was how easy he made writing seem. Short paragraphs, mostly filled with observational comments - MTV is on. Julian pops another cartridge in the video console and I leave. Not a verbatim quote, but when I was reading it I kept thinking "I can do this." Suffice it to say, I never did.
Ellis is a master stylist. I always felt the Hemingway in him. And Hemingway, like Scott Fitz saw, was bound for the museums because of that. Words that are chic, designer made—that's always something to celebrate.
He was doing an interview tour a couple of years ago. (when White came out) Saw him in SF. It was a very interesting event. He's a smarter guy than people give him credit for. Met him afterward and got a pic with him. It was very surreal.
He appears to be actively thinking, which presently requires bravery.
Cool about the pic.
This was very enjoyable and well written. To be fair, BEE would probably agree that the conversations were idle, vapid chatter. He seems to be some sort of cultural nihilist? His new book, "The Shards" was a bit more mature than his earlier offerings and I'd advise checking it out....although it is quite long.
Thanks so much, Gary. I do think BEE would agree with that. I want to read The Shards and see how it compares to Glamorama, which might be the masterwork.