Strap In: Vogue’s Next Book Club Pick Is ‘Less Than Zero’
Vogue has selected Bret Easton Ellis’s 1986 novel Less Than Zero as the third installment for its book club. The debut book, written when Ellis was an undergraduate, remains a sharp and disquieting portrait of Los Angeles teenage life. It tracks the character Clay as he returns home from college to navigate a world of party culture, drugs, and emotional detachment.
The novel gained significant attention upon release, with critics noting its hypnotic, declarative style. Ellis drew early inspiration from authors like Joan Didion and Ernest Hemingway to document the hollow landscape of 1980s wealth. The book is set against specific Los Angeles landmarks and references, grounding its haunting narrative in a recognizable, albeit ominous, environment.
Readers interested in joining the conversation can follow along through the Vogue app. The reading schedule is divided into two parts starting in late July. Participants are encouraged to source their copies through independent booksellers. This pick arrives as interest in the author’s work remains high, particularly with upcoming media adaptations of his later writing.
Less Than Zero served as the start of a prolific career for Ellis, leading to titles like American Psycho and the recent novel The Shards. Its inclusion in this book club brings the work back to contemporary readers. Whether it is a first read or a revisit, the novel provides a stark look at the excesses and isolation of its era.