Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis (born March 7, 1964) is a famous, though highly controversial, American author. Ellis was part of the new wave of American writing which appeared in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His novels usually are themed around young, morally corrupt, wealthy young adults (as Bret Easton Ellis was himself). His books detail their lives, promiscuity, drug abuse and apathy in a world of excesses which eventually finds the characters unable to grow morally or intellectually. The characters in his books frequently appear in his other novels and influence other characters.
To date Ellis has written five books, of which three have been made into popular films, and one book of short stories.
His novels are -
- Less than Zero
- The Rules of Attraction
- American Psycho
- Glamorama
- Lunar Park
American Psycho
Ellis's most controversial novel, American Psycho, tells the story of a rich, good looking young psychopath who lives in New York. The book's content is extremely graphic and was the cause, upon its release, of massive protest from feminist groups, religious groups and even the original publishers who eventually dropped the book due to its grisly nature. While some readings of the novel bring into question whether or not the protagonist is actually engaging in the horrific acts described in the narrative, Ellis has stated that it all happens character's imagination and that the character uses these disturbing thoughts to stimulate his mind as, despite all his excesses, he lives in a very unsatisfying world.
It was made into a popular movie starring Christian Bale.
