Less

Arthur Less, a struggling novelist from San Francisco, embarks on a worldwide literary tour to escape his ex-lover's wedding and his looming fiftieth birthday. He accepts a string of previously declined invitations to literary events, interviews, and teaching engagements that will keep him far from home. His journey takes him from New York to Mexico City, through Italy, Germany, Morocco, and beyond, encountering fellow writers, old friends, and unexpected situations at every stop. Less navigates these experiences while grappling with his modest literary reputation and his history of relationships, including a notable past connection with a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. The novel balances humor with introspection, exploring identity, aging, love, and the universal human tendency to run from emotional complications. Through Less's adventures abroad, the story examines how distance and displacement can sometimes lead to unexpected self-discovery.

Readers describe Less as a humorous yet touching story that pokes fun at literary pretensions while exploring themes of aging, love, and self-discovery. The book maintains a light tone despite dealing with heavier subjects. Readers highlighted: - Sharp, witty writing style - Relatable protagonist despite his flaws - Travel sequences that avoid common travelogue clichés - LGBTQ+ representation without making it the central focus Common criticisms: - Plot meanders without clear direction - Some jokes fall flat or feel repetitive - Protagonist can come across as privileged and self-absorbed - Writing style occasionally feels too clever or self-conscious Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (199,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (5,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (2,300+ ratings) "A perfect balance of comedy and heart" appears frequently in positive reviews, while critical reviews often note "style over substance" as a key complaint.

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🏆 "Less" won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making it one of the rare comedic novels to receive this prestigious award 🌈 The protagonist Arthur Less was originally written as a straight character, but Greer completely rewrote the novel after realizing it wasn't working, making it a groundbreaking gay romantic comedy ✈️ The book's travel sequences span five continents and include detailed descriptions of Mexico City, Turin, Berlin, Morocco, India, and Japan, all places the author personally visited while writing 📝 Greer wrote much of the novel at the famous Yaddo artists' retreat in Saratoga Springs, where other literary giants like Sylvia Plath and David Foster Wallace have worked 🎭 The novel's unique third-person narration, which occasionally breaks the fourth wall, was inspired by Greer's love of Nabokov's "Pale Fire" and creates an intimate, almost conspiratorial relationship with the reader