Words: Stacey Main

If you’ve ever despaired as to what in life is meaningless–it’s time you read Rules of Attraction.

“and it’s a story that might bore you but you don’t have to listen…”

The story starts here, halfway through a sentence. It ends halfway through another. It’s not a warning to be dismissed. Bret Easton Ellis has every intention of boring you. I’d be lying even to say that the plot unfolds, it more effectively spews it’s way across the 326 pages.

“Rock n’ Roll. Deal with it.” says Sean; one of many main characters.

And that’s just it. It is rock n’ roll. But probably rock n’ roll at it’s most hideously tedious. Take that as a compliment. I may paint an ugly picture, but the book is every bit as interesting for it. Rules of Attraction takes place in the Fall of 1985. If I could remember I would tell you what happens, but I don’t remember–in the same way I don’t remember the specifics of what happened everyday last semester. It is a ’snapshot of college life’ book. And, yes, it is equally as narcissistic as that comment suggests. The characters are unlikeable. They are vain, self-absorbed, petty, upperclass brats. The type of rich college kids who don’t have enough money for hygiene. No-one goes to class; every night is for drugs, alcohol, and sex; and every day is for hangovers, regrets, and recovery.

Everything happens, and nothing happens. The book is most interesting in it’s narration. The story shifts unceasingly between the voices of the students on campus (once even to a french roommate–entirely in french). Their stories run alongside each other, and at times overlap and intertwine. Here, the book captures the absurdity of human relationships. It meanders through what most books silence, the blandness of day-to-day interactions.

This is Bret Easton Ellis’s true success. The shift in voices brings us respite from what is not happening. It maintains our interest in order to carry the stories satirical purpose. Rules of Attraction exaggerates nothingness with great effect. Ellis does this flawlessly so that without offending, the story shows what we are often doing with our lives–nothing.

How very rock n’ roll.

Words: Carly Rogers

In a world of women’s magazines that too often focus on “50 Ways Land Your Dream Man”, “How To Lose That Winter Weight” and similar, it’s so refreshing to see the latest anti-thesis to the majority of women’s magazines.  (Admittedly, if there is a Cosmo/Cleo/Whatever lying around…. I’ll have quick read.  It’s interesting in a weird, unwholesome way.)  But if you too prefer something with a little more depth, then Gentlewoman looks like a promising alternative.

It comes from the makers of Fantastic Man, a magazine produced on decidedly unpretentious paper and in entirely black and white print.  Fantastic Man is a fashion magazine which steers away from your typical read with thousands of ads, but still manages to provide strong content on everything from the Mustache to Helmut Lang.  And apparently, Gentlewoman promises to follow the same non-conformist, yet completely modern style. Featuring Phoebe Philo of Celine in her own clothing, Eniko Mihalik in oddly satisfying gym editorial and much more content that I am very keen to get my hands on, Gentlewoman looks like a promising read.

Now put down that trashy magazine and help me find a stockist.

Words: Carly Rogers

Image: Hanneli

The infamous Chanel temporary tattoos.  I don’t know how to feel about them.  Part of me wants to love them – let’s be honest if you gave me a pack I’d slap them on in an instant –  but there’s something so …. (for lack of a better word) lame about them.  If only in the sense that Karl can do anything and make it covetable. read more »

Anand Chalmers plays guitar for The Sparkling Arrest. This is the story of being in that band. Behind the mystery and granduer of rock’n'roll, there is an untold reality: one that involves the expiration date on a bottle of milk; excercise; talking to the neighbours. This is that story.

When we first got together and formed a band, we all mysteriously assumed, without really thinking about it, that our number one priority as a group was to make music. Of course, this state of delusion didn’t last long. I’ll admit we took longer than some, but eventually we saw the light. There were countless tasks that required our focus ahead of making music – The King himself, Elvis, went as far as to say: “I don’t know anything about music. In my line you don’t have to.”

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Words: Carly Rogers

Images: The Cobrasnake (above) , Todd Selby (below)

If we’re completely honest with ourselves, most people today have an interest into what’s going on in other people’s lives.  The popularity of things like Facebook, Blogging and even reality television don’t lie.  So it’s no suprise that Todd Selby’s website, which offers an insight into the houses and subsequently the lives of artistic individuals is so popular. read more »