Altered reality in 'Lunar Park'
Katie Gallagher
Issue date: 9/1/05 Section: Arts & Life
"Lunar Park," the fifth book from Bret Easton Ellis, holds an interesting lack of clearly defined truth as Ellis explores autobiographical writing mixed with creation.
A memoir mixed with fiction, "Lunar Park lets Ellis ("American Psycho," "Less than Zero") act as both author and narrator while he reviews his fleeting life of abuse, addiction, fame and fortune.
He tells of how his first four books brought him wealth and renown, and how in turn he abused every privilege he gained.
The stories of wanton excess and drug abuse are over the top, and when it seems he has hit bottom, he is granted a second chance by B-list movie star Jayne Dennis.
Dennis agrees to marry him on the condition that he gets his life in order and becomes a father to the son, Robby, he abandoned 11 years prior.
Ellis moves to the New York suburbs with his family to begin a new life, but his new beginnings lead to new problems.
He begins teaching at a local college, only to become obsessed with his student Aimee Light.
Ellis' sobriety is short lived, and he's soon abusing cocaine, vodka and an assortment of pharmaceuticals.
Strange things begin occurring in his home and town.
Boys disappear, murders based on his book "American Psycho" are committed and it appears his house is haunted.
Ellis becomes exceedingly paranoid and delusional.
His wife makes him sleep in the guest bedroom, the children become wary of him, and even the dog seems to hates him.
Ellis uses more Klonopin and Xanax in attempt to cope, but to no avail.
The main storyline centers on the father-son relationship between both Ellis and Robby and Ellis and his own deceased father.
Ellis is haunted by the memory of his father, whose ashes he stores in a safe deposit box.
He also struggles with his lack of a real bond with Robby.
The book then takes on horror story-like properties when Ellis's stepdaughter's doll comes to life and begins attacking animals and people.
The house rearranges its own furniture and peels paint to expose a different color.
The real creepy factor comes in when it appears that the house is becoming Ellis' childhood home.
Readers may question what is part of Ellis' drug-induced panic - coupled with a guilty past - and what is reality.
Besides spinning fact-laden lore, Ellis also makes an interesting commentary on suburban life.
He describes overmedicated children, prestigious elementary schools and peoples' obsession with material possessions.
This demonstrates further that Ellis is little more than an observer in his foreign land of upper class society.
From start to finish, Ellis has created characters with multiple layers that weave a fascinating tale about suburban angst and father-son relationships.
Critic's Conclusion: An engaging and overall excellent read.
Four stars out of five.
A memoir mixed with fiction, "Lunar Park lets Ellis ("American Psycho," "Less than Zero") act as both author and narrator while he reviews his fleeting life of abuse, addiction, fame and fortune.
He tells of how his first four books brought him wealth and renown, and how in turn he abused every privilege he gained.
The stories of wanton excess and drug abuse are over the top, and when it seems he has hit bottom, he is granted a second chance by B-list movie star Jayne Dennis.
Dennis agrees to marry him on the condition that he gets his life in order and becomes a father to the son, Robby, he abandoned 11 years prior.
Ellis moves to the New York suburbs with his family to begin a new life, but his new beginnings lead to new problems.
He begins teaching at a local college, only to become obsessed with his student Aimee Light.
Ellis' sobriety is short lived, and he's soon abusing cocaine, vodka and an assortment of pharmaceuticals.
Strange things begin occurring in his home and town.
Boys disappear, murders based on his book "American Psycho" are committed and it appears his house is haunted.
Ellis becomes exceedingly paranoid and delusional.
His wife makes him sleep in the guest bedroom, the children become wary of him, and even the dog seems to hates him.
Ellis uses more Klonopin and Xanax in attempt to cope, but to no avail.
The main storyline centers on the father-son relationship between both Ellis and Robby and Ellis and his own deceased father.
Ellis is haunted by the memory of his father, whose ashes he stores in a safe deposit box.
He also struggles with his lack of a real bond with Robby.
The book then takes on horror story-like properties when Ellis's stepdaughter's doll comes to life and begins attacking animals and people.
The house rearranges its own furniture and peels paint to expose a different color.
The real creepy factor comes in when it appears that the house is becoming Ellis' childhood home.
Readers may question what is part of Ellis' drug-induced panic - coupled with a guilty past - and what is reality.
Besides spinning fact-laden lore, Ellis also makes an interesting commentary on suburban life.
He describes overmedicated children, prestigious elementary schools and peoples' obsession with material possessions.
This demonstrates further that Ellis is little more than an observer in his foreign land of upper class society.
From start to finish, Ellis has created characters with multiple layers that weave a fascinating tale about suburban angst and father-son relationships.
Critic's Conclusion: An engaging and overall excellent read.
Four stars out of five.