Bret Easton Ellis is a prominent American novelist, known for his satirical and transgressive style. He was born on March 7, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, and is considered to be one of the major Generation X authors. Ellis was a member of the literary Brat Pack, which also included Tama Janowitz and Jay McInerney, and his writing is often linked with theirs. He has described himself as a moralist, although others have labeled him a nihilist.
Ellis's novels often feature young, vacuous characters who are aware of their own depravity but choose to indulge in it nonetheless. His work is characterized by its expression of opinions and extreme acts in an affectless manner, as well as by the use of recurring and common characters and dystopian locales, such as Los Angeles and New York. Some of his most famous works, including "American Psycho," have been adapted into films.
In addition to his work as a novelist, Ellis is also a screenwriter and short story writer. His writing has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and he is widely read and respected in the literary world. Despite this, Ellis has faced criticism for his portrayal of women and his perceived misogyny in some of his works. Nevertheless, his contributions to American literature have been significant, and his unique style and voice continue to influence writers and readers today.