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Review: Generation S.L.U.T

While we all wait for the next novel from Bret Easton Ellis, its always fun to stumble onto something thats at least similar in style to an Ellis novel. Generation S.L.U.T. from Marty Beckerman fit the bill perfectly.

The book is about a group of high school kids struggling with sex, depression, popularity and their parents. Mix in an ultra-rich under-age porn purveyor who all the parents just adore and you've got yourselves an interesting story. Basically, its like a Bret Easton Ellis book, but built around a younger generation.

Thats not to say that this is just an 'Ellis formula' book, trying to capitalize on his popularity. Not at all. Instead, Beckerman creates a style all his own to move the story forward.

By mixing in actual news headlines and quotes from the past few years inbetween the fiction chapters, Beckerman provides a very serious context to the book that provides weight to the already compelling storyline.

Its one thing to write an intersting piece of fiction, its quite another to write one that makes a social statement at the same time. Beckerman manages to do both seamlessly here. Overall, an excellent novel; very fast read as well. I encourage you to pick up a copy if you get a chance.