Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: scarey but it is TRUE Review: I went to Bennington at the same time as BEE and from experience i can say that this book is nearly wrong to be classified as a work of fiction. I can identify nearly all the stories in the book as being real events that happened, and I think that this fact enhances the brilliance of the book. It is more documentary than fiction, and for everyone who thought it was too unbelievable, you are wrong! Anyone who went to college in the 80's can probably see their own reality in the book too!
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: What are you looking for? Review: If you're reading for plot, I don't suggest it--especially if you're old-fashioned. You're just NOT going to like it. However, if you're reading as a critic might, i.e., for stylistics, or maybe, I don't know--the flow, perhaps?, you might slip up and enjoy it. While it definitely gives one some idea of what life can be like for some post-adolescents in the 1980s and the tribulations they go through in college, nothing feels resolved. Students still bashing other students, friends still on drugs, people constantly using other people with no regrets. Maybe, though, that is what the author intended to capture: the idea that the problem just doesn't always get solved at the end of the half-hour, or in this case, at the end of any brink of time. I rate this book in the middle because, although I personally didn't like it and the only reason for finishing was the fact that I had paid for it, it does have some merit for capturing the way things can be in life. Sometimes, not everything is roses.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: bo-ring Review: I found this book really dull. I couldn't finish it. B.E.E.'s style of "prose" allows for a complete lack of character development. And, plot? Well, there isn't one. If you're looking for an entertaining story about petulant, exclusive New England college kids, a MUCH better read is Donna Tartt's THE SECRET HISTORY. Please disregard the author's dedication to B.E.E.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Eccellente Review: I've loved this book so much. As a Lawstudent in a very over rated College in a small - but really crazy - city in the north of Italy, it was really cool to compare my experiences to this american portrait. I still don't know if Sean is my favourite BATEMAN brother or just the kind of buddy you always wish to meet in a "dressed to get screwed party". It's a great novel, anyway, and the author is a really fine writer. Buy it!.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: What University can be like if you let it, GRITTY realism Review: Probably the best of BEE's books (though Less than Zero and American Psycho are also excellent and Informers and Glamourama are best left to the Die hard fans. A most effective first person narrative kind of takes us into them minds of a group of College students. Hilarious at timesthough less so than AS, Depressing sometimes though less so than Less Than Zero. It far more based in reality using "normal" characters, even today campuses aRE really like this and one sees something of oneself and acquaintances. As someone said earlier a great book to read before College (oras we say in the Queens English University). I did and think it helped me get laid a lot more and get more out of Uni!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Excellently done!!! Review: Ellis' second novel of decadent 80's teens is far and away more prominent and well-written than his debut, Less Than Zero. The plot is thicker, the characters deeper, and the sense of attachment to them in the story (lacking in his first), finds itself here. Especially the italicized scribblings of the suicidal romantic. Utterly fantastic, recommended to all those who lived through and love the 80's, or are just sick of life and need some reflection.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Not as good as "Psycho" , but AWESOME!!!! Review: Another great Ellis novel. I gave it 4 stars because nothing other than "American Psycho" can get 5 stars. The book conjured up situations I lived through in college, it was like stepping back in time, although I only graduated 4 years ago. "Attraction" was funny, hip, cool and well written. Ellis' writing is so unique and his characters (Paul, Sean (Patrick's bro) and Lauren - who we see in "Glamorama") so real, I knew of of each in my college. Excellent book!!! I suggenst it to anyone who ever lived the best years of their life - COLLEGE!!!!!
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Humorous but ultimately frustrating look at youth in turmoil Review: I read this book many years ago when I still romanticized "college life." I had enjoyed Ellis's previous book, Less Than Zero, for its morbid wit and portrayal of affluent, apathetic youths in California. I found Rules to be funnier than Zero, but found all of the characters too apathetic and devoid of humanity. There are a few memorable bits--the description of some gay charcters is classic ("...witches from Macbeth, but infinitely better looking and dressed in Armani, there is a character who becomes mordantly depressed over the break up of WHAM (##!!). It's a good read for those under 30 who still find college/sexual angst compelling. For others, it's probably tedious and self indulgent.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: recommendation Review: If you like the book, try "Too Far to Walk" by John Hersey. Instead of the 80s, Hersey's book is a 60s version of college life full of drug use and bad influences.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Less than Memorable Review: Ellis seems to be distinguishing himself as something of a one-trick pony in terms both of compositional style and the themes of his novels. As I read the first two chapters I was reminded fleetingly of Huysman's "A Rebours", but this novel is much less interesting. I noted that one reviewer compared this work to episodes of "Melrose Place" but I find the comparison to be unfair to Aaron Spelling, whose characters are generally more interesting.
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