"Less Than Zero" by Bret Easton Ellis is a haunting portrayal of a disenchanted and apathetic youth culture in 1980s Los Angeles, exploring themes of nihilism, hedonism, and the emptiness of modern life. Through the eyes of protagonist Clay, it delves into a world of decadence, drug abuse, and moral decay, offering a bleak and uncompromising critique of the shallow and alienating aspects of society.