"Hey baby, we're all in this together," I grunt, my hands dusted with chalk. "Yeah, I wanna give all this up and feed the homeless. I wanna give this all up and teach orangutans sign language. I'm gonna bike around the countryside with my sketchbook. I'm gonna - what? Help improve race relations in this country? Run for fucking president? Read my lips: spare me."
This is my first Ellis novel and so far, it is unlike anything I have ever read - save White Noise by Don DeLillo but much more intense. I'm about half-way through the novel and the story is finally starting to pick up. It seems Ellis used the first 200 pages or so to establish the hollow and celebrity-obsessed world of the 90's, where the protagonist, a male model, communicates using song lyrics and considers himself very important because "the better you look, the more you see". Like Delillo's White Noise, Glamorama is conveying a sense of post-modern trepidation and is considered a staple in post-modern literature (something I wasn't aware of until I started reading the book).
Ellis is the author of American Psyco and while I didn't read the book I remember the movie. If Glamorama is anything like that, it should get quite interesting.
I read American Psycho because I love the movie so much. I wouldn't recommend the book. It's very...graphic. The phrase "what has been seen cannot be unseen" comes to mind when I think of it. The movie isn't even quite the full tip of the iceberg in terms of what happens in the book. I also read his book Rules of Attraction because I'm apparently a bit of a masochist and while I can't say I liked it, I did think it was better than AP.
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog...have become a follower. Look forward to your future postings.
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Red - So far Glamorama hasn't been too graphic except for the sex scenes. Other than that it's been pretty tame but I've got a feeling the second half is going to get intense.
ReplyDeleteCMash - Thanks!
Aaah! I LOVE BRET EASTON ELLIS! And I'm glad you've had plenty comments on this! For some reason my Easton Ellis reviews have only had one comment on - I wonder if my readers just don't care?
ReplyDeleteEither way, I'd love to read Glamorama; it's one I haven't read yet! Glad you're enjoying it.
Hi, Brenna!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and following - I've returned the favor.
Glamorama was my first Ellis novel as well, though I've read many more since. It was completely twisted and bizarre and original, all of which I love in a novel. The latter part is WAYYYYY "out there" in terms of, well, everything. It just gets insane, but it's well worth the ride. :)
Hi Brenna-- thanks for visiting and following Mrs. BG! I'm following your blog as well. I prefer bookish blogs that offer more than just reviews so I'm very pleased to discover your blog.
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Bethany - It's nice to find another reader who loves Ellis! I feel like I can always count on you to love the stuff that's a little more out there.
ReplyDeleteRoof Beam - Good to know! I've got a feeling it's going to get kind of crazy. I've yet to meet another blogger that has read Glamorama so thats always nice.
Lesa - I'm happy to know that :) Thank you
Brenna, Ellis rocks! My first Ellis was Less Than Zero - loved the book and film version of it! And I followed that with American Psycho - fantastic work! The movie was good, but the book is so much better!! And then there is Rules of Attraction - which is solid. Lunar Park was pretty awesome, too! I actually got on an Ellis kick one summer and just couldn't stop reading his work. I've been meaning to order Imperial Bedrooms - his sequel to Less Than Zero that just came out. I think its so great that you are in the midst of reading your first Ellis - he is definitely a great writer. His work is dark, bizarre, and original! I love it! I'm looking forward to your final post about this book!
ReplyDeleteBy the by, I love your blog and have it listed on my blog roll. I just became a follower - I always forget to do that for some reason. Anyhow, great post and awesome blog!
Nadia - It is really exciting! I'm not sure how I went this long without reading any Ellis but I am pleasantly surprised to have found him. Thanks for the kind words about my blog :)
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