That's our Homer! ( )

Nathanael West just isn't for me. I've now read both of his acclaimed works and didn't get much out of either one of them. The writing is flat and so are the characters. The themes that were once ahead of their time are now just old news. I totally get that the year is 1939, but I'm still just never going to connect with a book that has this much misogyny in it. ( )

A little obvious in its symbolism and its exposition of its symbolism but I'm a sucker for what it's about. ( )

A novel like this you have to evaluate it in the time it was written. Characters are racist, sexist and in general not from this time anymore. It's a hard one to read even with an understanding that those were different times in the 30s. Still, it's clear why this is a classic with its vivid description of Hollywood in its exploration of talkies, movies with sound.

There is not much to be found here in terms of a plot and you have to conclude that this is mainly a character study. I kept wondering if in about a hundred years we will think the same way about the novel Less Than Zero as we now do about this one.

It's a hard one to read with today's standards and sensibilities but it's also worth it if only to see how far we've come. If you are curious about Hollywood in the 30s and you like a total immersion in the days when the place started to gain its stride then this book is highly recommended. If you're looking for a good read then perhaps a different book fits the bill. ( )

The setting is Hollywood in the 1930's. I believe the author was trying to show his contempt for Hollywood and its corrupting morals. The man character, Faye, is abusive, both physically and emotionally. A really bleak book, nothing redeeming. 160 pages ( )