Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Published 2018 · 280 pages · 70,000 words · about 8 hours at an average pace · Literary Fiction, Satire & Humor
How hard is Less to read?
Less scores 54 out of 100 for difficulty on ReadingRate, making it quite demanding. The score is a weighted composite of nine measures: four of how hard the prose is to parse, five of how hard the meaning is to extract.
- Vocabulary: 52 out of 100
- Greer writes in elegant, witty prose that reflects Arthur Less's literary background. The vocabulary is sophisticated but accessible, more concerned with precision and comedy than showing off. You'll enjoy the language without reaching for references.
- Sentence structure: 58 out of 100
- The sentences are carefully crafted, with a distinctive rhythm that balances Arthur's self-deprecation against the narrator's affection. Greer varies his patterns for comic effect, building to punchlines or pulling back from sentiment. The style rewards attention.
- Abstraction: 55 out of 100
- The novel stays grounded in Arthur's physical journey through locations from Mexico to Morocco, even as it explores themes of aging, failure, and love. Greer works through concrete particulars—bad hotel rooms, awkward dinners—rather than explicit reflection.
- Information density: 52 out of 100
- Greer moves efficiently through Arthur's travels and memories, packing character development and comic set pieces into a brisk narrative. The novel is light on its feet, never pausing long enough to grow heavy.
- Narrative indirection: 55 out of 100
- The narrator knows Arthur better than Arthur knows himself, revealing layers of feeling that the protagonist fails to recognize. This gap between what Arthur perceives and what we understand generates much of the comedy and poignancy.
- Symbolic density: 52 out of 100
- Arthur's globe-trotting flight from his ex's wedding becomes a comic quest, but Greer keeps the symbolism light. The journey means what it means without requiring interpretation.
- Ironic distance: 62 out of 100
- Greer views Arthur with devastating affection—he sees every self-deception and pretension while clearly adoring this hapless man. The irony is warm rather than cruel, laughing with rather than at.
- Resolution withholding: 48 out of 100
- The novel builds toward Arthur's fiftieth birthday and whatever awaits him there. Greer delivers a satisfying emotional resolution that earns its sentiment through the comedy that precedes it.
- Structural complexity: 55 out of 100
- The story follows Arthur's travels chronologically while weaving in memories that illuminate his past. A late narrative revelation reframes everything you've read. The structure serves surprises.
How Less is regarded
Less holds a literary regard score of 47 out of 100, weighing its place in the canon, its critical reception, its influence on other writers, and the standing of its author. Regard is measured separately from difficulty: a demanding book is not necessarily an admired one.