Now in its 15th year running, the International Book Festival of Budapest has become recognized as one of the important professional forums of the region. Also known as the Jubilee Book Festival, the event traditionally invites the most renowned authors from around the world to participate as both individuals and as representatives of their countries.
This year, Bret Easton Ellis will be present at the festival. A cult figure of American literature, he is the author of the famously grim American Psycho. Ellis is known for his nihilism and his confessed drug addiction, making him a controversial figure. Having appeared on the 1980s American literary scene through his own assertion, Ellis quickly became a favorite. His novels deal with the pathology of the American way of life and make use of rich, famous yuppies as protagonists who use each other, use drugs and become dangerous to both themselves and society.
This approach to literature has labeled Ellis a major “generation X” author. His novels are linked by common, recurring characters and dystopic locales such as Los Angeles and New York City, and often reflect his own difficult experiences in life.
Ellis’ first novel, Less Than Zero, was published while he was still a student. It deals with disaffected, rich teenagers from Los Angeles and was immediately praised by critics. Ellis, however, is best known for his controversial and graphically violent novel American Psycho. The work had already created controversy before being published, as the original publisher withdrew due to external protests that the book is misogynistic in nature. Since then, it has reached considerable cult status.
On his visit to Budapest and the International Book Festival, there will be an opportunity to join a moderated discussion with Ellis at the Millenáris Theater on April 24th at 4 p.m. Then on April 25th at 11 a.m., he will be present at a press conference hosted by Európa Publishing House.
Bibliography:
Less Than Zero (1985)
The Rules of Attraction (1987)
American Psycho (1991)
The Informers (1994)
Glamorama (1998)
Lunar Park (2005)
Imperial Bedrooms (Expected 2010)
Dates:
International Book Festival
April 24th – 27th
Discussion with Bret Easton Ellis
April 24th at 4 p.m.
Press Conference with Bret Easton Ellis
April 25th at 11 a.m.
Place: Millenáris Park
1024 Budapest, Fény u. 10-12.