The 1980s Literary Brat Pack

You’ve heard of the Rat Pack: originally a gang of movie stars, then musicians in the 1950s. In a 1987 article in the New York newspaper Village Voice, three authors were highlighted as representing a new generation of writing. Their books consisted of minimalist prose, new forms and even successfully championing one of the most difficult aspects of craft for writers: the second person point of view.

The writers were Bret Easton Ellis, Jay McInerney and Tama Janowitz, American east coast kids with a penchant for partying as well as producing popular novels. At times, the group also involved other young authors such as Mark Lindquist and Donna Tartt. Here is a sampling of work from the “Brat Pack.”