Steve Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I am looking for a new book or even author to read of, but am reaching the end of the line in terms of what I enjoy. I like the works of Bret Easton Ellis, and am particularly looking for books that have the theme of a moral depraved society, and moral depraved characters even. So, books like Less Than Zero, American Psycho, Glamorama. I have read all of the books by Bret Easton Ellis and have bought two books by Hubert Selby Jr. That does that sort of thing, so I am really looking for books or authors of that kind. Any help would be appreciated, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series might be something you'd enjoy. There's certainly a moral ambiguity to the novels. Aside from those all I can think of is individual novels where the 'baddy' is revealed to be morally depraved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 You ought to try Chuck Palahnuik and Glen Duncan as authors. They are dark people indeed. See what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I'm not sure if it's along the right lines but have you tried Irvine Welsh? He wrote Trainspotting and others like it and they're pretty sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Thanks for the recommendations, I will check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Hmm, I'm not sure if this is exactly what you are looking for, but you might want to take a look at Augusten Burroughs. His books are mostly memoirs, some of them 'a bit more funny' than the others (they always have serious and disturbing themes but some of them are written in a lighter and funnier tone). You might want to start with Dry which comes after Running with Scissors, but Dry might be something you'd be more into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWords Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 David Britton, Hunter S. Thompson (morally gray in many regards), and a bunch of the 1950s Soho writers fit the bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursenblack Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 What about A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess? I haven't read it yet only watched the film. It seems like it could be the kind of book your looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Having read it and watched the film, I'd definitely agree that Clockwork Orange fits your bill. Please read the book first though, as the film cuts out the last thirty or so pages of the novel, thus changing the message of the story entirely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eck Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Charles Bukowski would fit that description well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Steve, I didn't like American Psycho (too much of a prude:lol:) but while I was recently reading Albert Camus "The Outsider" I was reminded of American Psycho (without the graphic scenes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 How about the book The Iceman,Confessions Of A Mafia Contract Killer. He was one very awful scary,dude imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 On this theme, I'd thoroughly recommend some JG Ballard work. The mid-70s novels of urban breakdown and moral breakdown, in particular: Crash, High Rise and Concrete Island. Also some of the later ones, particularly Cocaine Nights and, less so, Super Cannes. Crash is considered the classic in the genre, the book that really shocked people. Ballard's work with The Atrocity Exhibition where he started experimenting with seeing how people reacted to the conjunction of sexual imagery and car crashes was the starter on this. There's a fair amount of fascinating commentary around it all, too, but really all you need to do is read the novel As mentioned elsewhere, Martin Amis sort of fits the bill, but is sometimes too clever for his own good; also Will Self - who is a far less annoyingly smug novelist than he is commentator. Michel Houllebecq probably fits the morally unclear bill, too, although I didn't actually enjoy Atomised at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 How about the book The IcemanHe was one very awful scary,dude imo. Oh yes, The Iceman. Chilling (no pun intended) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hey Steve,On speaking to my OH here who also does a fair bit of reading he recommends The Scar,Perdido Street Station & The Iron Council all by the same author.Hope this is what you had in mind.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hey Steve,On speaking to my OH here who also does a fair bit of reading he recommends The Scar,Perdido Street Station & The Iron Council all by the same author.Hope this is what you had in mind.. I thought Perdido Street Station was fantastic. Must pick up the other's you mention at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carm Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 How do you feel about vampires? Thew Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris are quite fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beccles Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Have you tried Edgar Allen Poe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 24, 2010 Author Share Posted March 24, 2010 Thanks for all the suggestions, I did pick up some and next time I buy more I will get some Edgar Allen Poe books. And most of the other suggestions too, thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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