'The Shards' — Bret Easton Ellis

I'm loving that this new novel by the author of the 1985 debut sensation "Less Than Zero," published when Ellis was just 21, is really good.

I'm only 34 pages in and it's 594 pages long so there are many happy hours ahead, most of which I hope take place with Vanta on my lap.

But I digress.

Below,

the dedication page.

The book is set in early 1980s Los Angeles, during which time I lived there loving every minute, and I'm totally familiar with the places and atmosphere Ellis brings so vividly to life.

Much of the story happens in West Los Angeles, notably Westwood Village, where I lived from 1966 to 1983 in a series of apartments, regularly frequenting the Bruin and Village Theaters and The Wherehouse and restaurants like Barney's Beanery and The Good Earth and Hamburger Hamlet.

In my mind I can see clearly the streetscape each time he walks down Broxton Avenue and LeConte and Weyburn and Gayley and Westwood Boulevard.

I was a new anesthesiology attending at UCLA Medical Center when one of his characters was taken to the ER there.

I love books and movies set in LA in the 60s, 70s, and 80s because they seem so much more alive and real as a result of my associations and memories.

The music! 

The great songs playing on the car radio as he cruises Mulholland Drive and the Valley: "Jessie's Girl"; "Kiss on My List"; "Slow Hand"; "The Winner Takes It All"....