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When I first read this book four or five years ago, I loved it.  The story of a college freshman home in Los Angeles for the Christmas vacation who falls back into his high school crowd and their drug, drinking and free sex scene, this was made into a movie back in the '80s with Robert Downey Jr. in the starring role.  Why is this relevant?  Not sure.

Now, as a more sober adult, I found this book not so much troubling, because I know that the scenes described in it exist, and I remember myself taking part in many of them, but perhaps misguided.  A couple weeks ago we talked about Brightness Falls, where (if you've read it by now, which you should have) the life of the junkie is glorified initially and then the pitfalls exposed.   Less Than Zero glorifies this lifestyle and although it is perhaps normal for teenagers in L.A. to behave this way, I doubt that society would appreciate a ringing endorsement of these self-destructive behaviors.

Speaking with candor, the most recent reread of this book exposed quite a bit of just plain silliness - I found it hard to believe that the characters took themselves and their activities so seriously in cases.  In most cases, however, I was merely bored with the story, in a sort of been there, done that mode.

In summary, if you believe strongly in the drug, sex and rock & roll scene, this book is an entertaining read.  If you would like to get past that, this probably isn't for you.