Less Than Zero isn't as compelling a book as Ellis' American Psycho, but is nevertheless interesting to read -- as a prelude to the latter book. There are spots where it seems certain Ellis has practiced a phrase before turning it out to work in Psycho. Of course, I could be wrong. I have heard there are some other books by him I should read, particularly a collection of short stories. I'm looking forward to that. I'd like to see the movie adaptation of this book and compare it to the book. I suspect that the movie won't contain the same kind of helplessness that the book contained.