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| The book cover work |
First thing's first, I like the book. As I have indicated previously, I read this book quite some time ago. This could be perceived as being presumptuous - and it is.
Imperial bedrooms, unlike American Psycho, is more closely related to Lunar Park; Ellis seemingly moves further from the appearance of more traditional novels. Although the themes often stray from what we could conceive as being a realistic take of a 'this is your life' biopic. You can't help becoming invested in the characters, as they all exhibit pathological traits - that we are either guilty of, or have encountered, fairly frequently. This tactic convincingly disguises the present gap located between our idea of reality and the constructed appearance of most novels.
Although I don't know what Bret Easton Ellis's position on postmodernism is. He seemingly has an affinity to the common postmodern trop of negating appearances, and treats all subject matter with a deeply superficial rapport. Ellis seemingly leaves an element of the deeper reading as contingent, instead leading the reader by measured amounts of critical character development, imparting us with what will later be recognized as an false impression.
This is experienced in the the character developments of the main protagonist, Clay. Appearances afford one to conclude that he is perhaps an ageing man with many deeply set issues, but is not one deserving absolute condemnation. His behavior is conceivably a product of, and a necessity of, his environment. As the book concludes, all is unveiled and, with shocking effectiveness, informs us of the full extent of his transgressions.
Well there you go my first book review, vague and somewhat there. I suggest to anyone with a taste of transgression and a thick skin to give it a read. It is not too long and is quite a fast read.
Tommy.
