'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis is a novel that delves into the life of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and materialistic investment banker living in Manhattan during the late '80s and early '90s. The book follows Bateman's descent into madness as he struggles with his identity, connections, and reality amidst a backdrop of extreme violence and graphic descriptions. The writing style of the book combines dark humor, disturbing scenes of violence, and a sharp critique of American society's obsession with consumerism and superficiality.
The narrative of 'American Psycho' juxtaposes the horrific with the banal, offering a satirical commentary on the culture of wealthy, self-centered individuals who are detached from the consequences of their actions. Through Bateman's perspective, the novel explores themes of excess, narcissism, and the emptiness of a life driven by material possessions and societal expectations. The book challenges readers to question the values of the era it portrays and leaves them contemplating the blurred lines between reality and delusion.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
It carries high content warnings for graphic violence, sexual violence, misogyny, and detailed depictions of gore.
From The Publisher:
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
In this modern classic, the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author explores the incomprehensible depths of madness and captures the insanity of violence in our time or any other.
Patrick Bateman moves among the young and trendy in 1980s Manhattan. Young, handsome, and well educated, Bateman earns his fortune on Wall Street by day while spending his nights in ways we cannot begin to fathom. Expressing his true self through torture and murder, Bateman prefigures an apocalyptic horror that no society could bear to confront.
"A masterful satire and a ferocious, hilarious, ambitious, inspiring piece of writing, which has large elements of Jane Austen at her vitriolic best. An important book." -Katherine Dunn, bestselling author of Geek Love
Ratings (180)
Incredible (26) | |
Loved It (60) | |
Liked It (52) | |
It Was OK (18) | |
Did Not Like (14) | |
Hated It (10) |
Reader Stats (489):
Read It (178) | |
Currently Reading (4) | |
Want To Read (205) | |
Did Not Finish (22) | |
Not Interested (80) |
7 comment(s)
3.5⭐
Bret deliberately leaves gaps in certain areas in order to primarily satirize the consumer culture of New York society. However, it would have greatly enhanced the book to delve into other themes as well.
Bateman's constant descriptions of things and individuals became tediously redundant. Nevertheless, I had a tremendous amount of amusement (if it can even be called that) inhabiting Bateman's mind, with his amusing and horrifying observations and moments. He was a
bona fide deranged clown, disguised in a human form, and I fully embraced his presence.
When I first read it about 2 years ago I absolutely hated it, see my old review below.
I was curious of rereading it now as my reading taste has changed and I'm more into very unlikeable characters and darker topics now. I wouldn't say I love the book but it is very successful in making the characters feel very awful and horrific even without the killings. It was intense following through his tought, behavior and life.
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Review from 2022.
I haven't hated a book with such a passion in a long time. This book contains heavily with rude and obscene language that adds nothing to the story. I'm no prude but I think loaded words should be used with a purpose rather than been slanted all over the pages. Some might think that's what make anstöt dark, grim and intense but only a few writers i e read have been successful using that kind of strategy and Bret Easton Ellis is not one of them. The overall story does not hold it either, I just found it to be a bloody mess without having a scary nor nail-biting feeling at all. Have not seen the movie and most likely won't.
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I got little less then 5 hours left of this audiobook but I've decided I need to put it down for good. As beloved the book and movie are it's to much for me and I'm not finding anything positive continue with the story. It rather make me feel a bit uncomfortable.
Dark and funny
A little over the top
This book is so good at its quirk that it is repelling me from finishing it. :(
Yes, I know it's meant to be dark satire, but Ellis takes rather too much pleasure in the sadistic treatment of women. Also, and this is not Ellis's fault, but it matters, the cultural response to this book (and its movie) contains a frighteningly large contingent of young men who unironically idealize Patrick Bateman. It's the same thing that's happened to Palahnuik's Fight Club, but extra disturbing given the source material here.
Patrick Bateman is twenty-six and works on Wall Street. He is handsome, sophisticated, charming and intelligent. He is also a psychopath.
What can you read after
American Psycho?
About the Author:
BRET EASTON ELLIS is the author of six novels and a collection of stories, which have been translated into thirty-two languages. He lives in Los Angeles and is the host of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast available on Patreon.
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