Less reads like a romantic comedy in book form (if that sounds appealing to you then disregard the rest of this review). I was lured in by the novel’s Pulitzer Prize winning status but it seems that young adult literature is now the threshold for literary merit.

In the first chapter, the author chooses to list an itinerary of where the main character will travel to eliminate all sense of surprise and handhold the reader through the story. He also establishes the main character’s past in its entirety as if to free the reader from having to make any analyses or predictions about who Less is. Greer empties his hands of all surprises and deprives the reader of using her/his imagination by explaining the story with a painful lack of subtlety or depth. There is some decent imagery (although the quality of the writing deteriorates rapidly after the first chapter), but unbelievable/unrealistic dialogue will make you feel like you are reading a book. Nothing about the characters’ witty interactions mimics reality. The story develops along an offensively conventional arc that is full of romantic comedy tropes and predictable plot points.

I’m not so offended by this novel as I am by it winning the Pulitzer Prize. If young adult literature is your thing, this is an excellent choice. But skip this one if you are seeking a thoughtful read.