The Rules of Attraction

I just love Bret Easton’s writing. I whip right through his books. Funny and crazy college life. On to the next one!

I stumbled upon Bret Easton Ellis's work after watching the movie adaptation American Psycho. It is my favourite movie of all time, and one of the only movies I can watch over and over. I was curious about the book, so I purchased it.Ellis has a very unique style of writing, one that took me some getting used to. The only way I can think to describe it is... Nora Roberts on meth. Bad metaphor, I know. I was drawn to how surreal he created his characters and the world they live in, something that appears to be normal on the surface but beneath is warped.After reading American Psycho I was curious about his other works, so I decided to purchase this novel. Again, I experienced the surreal in the seemingly normal setting -- this time at an arts college with three different main characters.I won't get into the plot, because I will probably spoil it. Basically, this book is about three college students who become entangled. Rather than being a typical novel with a plot, setting, characters, introduction, body and conclusion, it plays out like a journal written by a college (or rather three) student/s wired on meth. If you are hoping for character growth and happy endings, then you will be disappointed. The characters are depressing and completely void of emotion, which could be put down to the constant drug abuse. They are also extremely delusional, which could also be put down to that.If you were looking for a heart-felt, emotional journey where the characters overcome obstacles then you would be extremely disappointed with this. The book leads nowhere, and there is no real plot, but rather a documentation of events according to three different points of view. But looking at it from a different perspective, it is actually quite brilliant. Ellis is making a mockery of the young, rich college stereotype -- it isn't a case of poor character creation and poor story planning, it is precisely what it is meant to be. It can be hilarious at times, but it can also be a drag. Though it is a drag, I can guarantee you won't be able to stop reading.If you want to read something real quirky and a little fun, and can look past the lack of personality, the over-usage of drugs, constant partying and sex, then go ahead and read this.. even just to satiate your curiosity.Or you could just check out the movie... either way I'm giving it three stars. Not great, but not exactly garbage either.

Less Than Zero established Ellis as a spokesperson of Generation X. It was a tale of decadence, narcissism, and life in the Reagan '80s. Where Less Than Zero brought us into a world where cocaine tossed about like chocolate and the shimmering sunlight that paints L.A. is a facade. The Rules of Attraction was Bret Easton Ellis' follow-up to Less Than Zero and as such is written in much the same head-space. But The Rules of Attraction takes us to Camden wherein Sean Batemen, Lauren Hynde, and Paul Denton take part in a romp where sex is currency and the economy is booming. Sean, Lauren, and Paul are not likeable people. They are shallow, careless, and sexually ambiguous. Yet Ellis' deft writing skills keep you engaged in each of their stories. Events intersect as you get to see their perspective on each situation. Some cameos by your favorite characters in Less Than Zero, Glamorama, and American Psycho are especially delightful and bring some variety into this interesting world Bret Easton Ellis has created. The book summary will tell you that this is a story about the death of romance, and that is mostly true, but reading about the naivete of these characters as they try to traverse the complex land of emotion is fascinating. They're cold, shallow, and detached in much the same way as the decade from which they are from. Yet by the very last page you'll find yourself missing them when they're gone. The Rules of Attraction is a quintessential novel, not just for fans of Bret Easton Ellis' deadpan delivery but for all fans of satire.

Bret Easton Ellis certainly captures the essence of the 80's, 90's and our recent decade. Like me, those who grew up in these eras can identify with the characters, music and themes of his novels. I don't think that remakes of his novels (Less than Zero, The Laws of Attraction, American Psyco) can really do justice. His writing to me is like Stephen King, where most of the action is created inside of the heads of the characters. That said it is interesting to see Hollywood's take on his stories. More interesting to me is the way the characters are connected with each other from novel to novel and the way he reinvents them.The characters give a different perspective on the story, which is what keeps me engaged. It can be uncomfortable and perhaps unsettling at times but definitely an avenue into the human psyche and how complicating it is to grow up and live in these unsettling times.I look at Ellis' work, like many have, as a reflection on our generation. It does make sense if you read and then reread. His analogies and irony may take awhile to understand. But, he is a gifted talent and anyone growing up in the 80's, 90's and beyond should definitely put this on their reading list.

If you are a fan of the Roger Avary directed film adaptation then you owe to yourself to give the source material a read. It actually expands a great deal on both main characters and background characters only mentioned in the film. I feel the college setting portrayed by Bret Easton Ellis here is much more relatable than the settings of some of his other work. Much like William S. Burroughs, Ellis’s work might seem like random nonsensical dribble on the surface that would lead many to think this isn’t going anywhere but in fact everything and every detail is intricately woven to form a narrative puzzle with a vibe.

This book is the worst of what happens with self-publishing!I bought by mistake, thinking it was the famous novel by Bret Easton Ellis, and I want my money back.It turns out it's a dating "book" that's literally 10 pages of text, that's triple spaced between each line.The fact that it's had 1000 reviews and an average review of 4.1 is disturbing.There are thousands of free articles online that are far better than this.If you want a solid dating book buy "The happiest man in hollywood."

Having read American Psycho and Glamorama, I'm on a mission to read all Brett Easton Ellis's works, because they're the most thought provoking novels I've read in a long time. The Rules of Attraction's protagonist is Sean Bateman, the younger brother of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. Like when Sean makes an appearance in one chapter of American Psycho for a Birthday meal Patrick narrates and pays for, Patrick is in a chapter of Rules of Attraction, where the brothers meet at the hospital where their father is dying. Patrick narrates this scene also, I suppose because his account of the brother's relationship is more mature and grounded in reality. Their relationship is an important part of what makes them both tick (Sean says his only memories of their family home include Patrick, they must have once or at the risk of sounding too unmanly still be close) and it is a nice touch by Ellis to meet them in both novels, even if only for a brief chapter. Evelyn, Patrick's girlfriend's name pops up too.Unlike American Psycho, Rules of Attraction is written from the opinions of numerous characters, all friends and family of Sean's, despite Patrick's jokes about doubting whether Sean has even fifty friends to put in a gadget he bought for his Birthday. The characters are all highly developed and multi-faceted. Their lives contain real life issues people face in their younger years such as alcoholism, sexuality, drug addiction, abortion, suicide, obsession, travelling, promiscuity, academic stresses, breakdown of parents marriages, death, insanity, etc.Bearing resemblances to Generation X by Douglas Coupland, Rules of Attraction is in my opinion better, due to it being longer and having a multitude of characters, with more dynamic, pressing issues. There's a sense of urgency, which contrasts highly with the mellow characters in Generation X who work in diners and spend their time making up stories and relaxing by the pool. In Rules of Attraction there is always something crazy going on in the lives of the students that does not seem overly far fetched. However the bonds between the characters are less strong in Rules of Attraction and I imagine Sean will not stay in touch with many if any of his friends from university. Even if they are closer physically, their ties are often shallow and based around sex, drugs or "rock and roll deal with it." Lauren and Sean spend days not speaking once to eachother. The characters rarely confide in one another and when they do what they say tends to be hurtful, I guess because they have all being thrown together at university with little in common apart from a lot of free time, cash, academic ideas and opportunities to mess up.Unlike American Psycho where the characters are very wealthy, in Rules of Attraction many of Sean's friends are not so financially affluent and he even mocks wealth early in the novel saying there's nothing worse than a rich drug addict (Marc). He himself does not have a job, but lives off money Patrick sends him from their father's estate. Sean is more of a drug dealer than a drug addict, and unlike Marc does not use heroine. Despite his wealth, he is still in debt with other students and townie drug dealers alike.Sean's character is likeable, similar to Patrick his older brother he wants to fall in love and experiments in straight and gay relationships, but there are clear points in the novel that explain why the relationships deteriorate and most of the characters then move on and the novel follows the intricate web of interlinked sexual encounters and friendships, so consistent with university life. The characters are more youthful, chaotic and hopeful than the tarnished, weary, often narcissistic characters in American Psycho whose actions seem repetitive. Lauren's character aside, they seem less conscious of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV despite their promiscuity and there are a couple of unwanted pregnancies. In spite of there being no killing sprees and bloody bed sheets, the novel seems far grimier and dirtier than American Psycho. I was left feeling I had just climbed out of a dirty, sweaty bed sit, having not washed in over a month. This is an excellent novel anybody would enjoy to read, regardless of class, age and gender.

The Rules of Attrction (Brett Easten Ellis's second novel) is a richer and deeper expression of the nihilistic, satirical themes he covered in his stark debut. Whereas  Less Than Zero  concentrated on the pointless existence of rich, hedonistic Camden student Clay (covering his drug-fuelld return to LA one holiday), The Rules of Attraction follows three -- similarily pampered and self-obsesseive/destructive -- students (this time at Camden college itself).It is much more of the same, really -- none-stop partying, drinking and references to popular 80s youth culture -- and in some ways is a much better novel. It is funnier (Ellis is sharper and more comfortable when swinging his satirical axe -- though his humour is still very subdued in comparison to  American Psycho ); it is more complicated (not just in there being three protagonsists, but also in scale (the college social drug sex mess is effortlessly constructed) and with a much bigger focus on the effects their bohimiem lifestyle has on their purchased souls) and you are left with an even bigger void of hope at the end of it all (despite its title, this is no romantic comedy).I didn't really enjoy it as much, though. I guess, because it wasn't new to me anymore. I think I was hoping for a greater shift towards the raging satire of American Psycho. More of this novel is filled with the same empty observations and dialogue that made Less Than Zero so effective. This isn't a bad thing, but it takes greater effort to get into (getting to intimatley know three characters instead of one) and doesn't reward you with enough new ideas.Anyway, that is only a slight disapointment: more of Less Than Zero is a good thing and I did enjoy reading this. Fans of his first novel will feel instantly at home here. If you haven't read that, then you I reccomend that you read it first -- I think it is a more focused and fluent example of Easton Ellis's early work. Less Than ZeroAmerican Psycho

The Rules of Attraction is a great read, and fans of Bret Easton Ellis are bound to enjoy his trademark dark and satirical writing style. The book is written in the first person and follows the lives of three rich students 'studying' (although they rarely go to class) at the fictional Camden College in the US. Although the plot can take a depressing turn at times, there is plenty of dark humour to be found and the writing is engaging throughout.Although not quite as good as American Psycho, which in my opinion represents Bret Easton Ellis at his best, The Rules of Attraction is definitely worth a read.

Terribly disappointed. I read this having previously enjoyed American Psycho and Less than Zero. The format is similar to Less than Zero only know where near as enjoyable. It is pretty much an identical concept. However it revolves around multiple characters, none of whom are interesting, the book centres around very mundane and boring interactions between characters and it does not work. I think the originality factor was a big part of Less than Zero's success, originality is really missing here. This book is just a watered down rehashed version of Less than Zero.

Sympathetic and gripping, as honest as it could be - stunningly accurate, filled with detail sometimes you may not want to know - 'The rules of attraction' is one my favorite Bret Easton Ellis works. the fact that every little chapter is a different person talking, makes you go back and forth relentlessly and I just love it. It's sad and hearth breaking if you look at it in the right light, beneath all the physical numbness and wobbly morality.