Imperial Bedrooms

October 4, 2011

I was sceptical about a sequel to Less Than Zero, the scorching debut novel by Brett Easton Ellis written in the 80s while he was still at college. (Having written my uni dissertation on American Psycho, his take on the human cost of American capitalism, I have a bit of an interest in the work of Ellis)

If you can forgive the need to make the sequel also take place in a short period over Christmas in LA, when the protagonist has just returned from a period of time on the east coast, it is actually a reasonable read.

We find the characters of the first novel now middle aged and jaded. (This theme has resonance for me as I have recently made the mortifying discovery I am middle aged, and not the person I was at 22) The opening of the book casts Ellis as a friend of the group who wrote down what happened to them in the first novel. This is mentioned to explain how they all ended up at the premiere of the film version of the first novel, watching brat pack era movie stars play them. And unlike in the novel, one of them is killed off. Apparently the ‘real’ character was mortified to discover he was killed off.

The examination of what the Less Than Zero characters became is interesting, particularly for those who have followed the career of Ellis. The novel is really readable (unlike Glamarama, which I have still never finished). At some point (the vanishing point?) I would like to read Less Than Zero again, quickly followed by Imperial Bedrooms, as I think that would show just how good the first novel is and give an exact measurement of whether the sequel stands real comparison to the debut novel, which was one of the best fiction written in the 1980s.

The latest Made in Weston Christmas Craft fair is being held on Saturday November 13 at the prestigious Winter Gardens venue on the sea front in Weston-super-Mare from 10am – 5pm.

In Excess of 50 stalls are booked to sell their wares of locally made products.  Among the stalls will be makers of handcrafted cards, original artwork, photography, Christmas decorations, adult’s and children’s jewellery, bags, handmade toiletries, books, homewares such as cushions, culinary delights including seasoning blends, cakes, chutneys and jams.

The event coincides with the re-launch of the revamped Made in Weston website: www.madeinweston.co.uk. The site is now ‘live’ and will feature an online shop. Any members interested in stocking their products in the shop should contact Becky or Abbie via email info@madeinweston.co.uk for details.

Event organiser Rebecca Keating said: “The ethos of Made in Weston is to offer quality locally sourced goods wherever possible. This will be our 6th event and each time we are getting more creative local people coming forward with a diverse range of great products.

“If you are looking for quality, locally sourced Christmas presents you should come along to Made in Weston.”

This Made in Weston event follows two previous successful craft fairs this year, one in June at the Winter Gardens and the August on the Italian Gardens in Weston-super-Mare High Street. The summer event raised £520 for the local branch of the RNLI through donations from the public on entry.

Entry is free, although the local branch of the RNLI will be on hand at the door – all donations welcome.

About Made in Weston:

Made in Weston is a craft collective which aims to promote arts and crafts products from Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding northern Somerset area of England.

Reuse of materials in the production of art and craft items is encouraged. A green and local ethos is at the core of everything Made in Weston does.

Members of Made in Weston produce a huge range of arts and crafts including jewellery, cards, candles, homeware and children’s toys.

Because everything is hand-made, Made in Weston prides itself in being able to offer a made to order service that is second to none. If you can imagine a product – we know someone who can make it.

Made in Weston sells products through the website www.madeinweston.co.uk as well as through hosting and attending craft fairs in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area.

Only a handful of stalls are still available for traders to sell their wares at the latest of the successful Made in Weston craft fairs.

The Christmas Craft fair is being held on November 13 at the prestigious Winter Gardens venue on the sea front in Weston-super-Mare from 10am – 5pm. Entry is free, although the local branch of the RNLI will be on hand at the door – all donations welcome.

Event organiser Rebecca Keating said: “Makers of any kind of arts or craft products are welcome at the event. The ethos of Made in Weston is to offer quality locally sourced goods wherever possible.”

The latest Made in Weston event follows two previous successful craft fairs this year, one also at the Winter Gardens and the recent summer event on the Italian Gardens in Weston-super-Mare High Street. The summer event raised £520 for the local branch of the RNLI through donations from the public on entry.

To book your stall, priced £20, email info@madeinweston.co.uk.

About Made in Weston:

Made in Weston is a craft collective which aims to promote arts and crafts products from Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding northern Somerset area of England.

Reuse of materials in the production of art and craft items is encouraged. A green and local ethos is at the core of everything Made in Weston does.

Members of Made in Weston produce a huge range of arts and crafts including jewellery, cards, candles, homeware and children’s toys.

Because everything is hand-made, Made in Weston prides itself in being able to offer a made to order service that is second to none. If you can imagine a product – we know someone who can make it.

Made in Weston sells products through the website www.madeinweston.co.uk as well as through hosting and attending craft fairs in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area.