Reviews

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

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samchelsey's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

pansy_ass's review against another edition

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5.0

A stirring and thoroughly disturbing account of material obsession and personal desensitization, this book bled me of every ounce of humanity (but thankfully not every ounce of my ACTUAL blood, as many of the pretty young things in this novel were), challenged the depth of my empathy and, if I'm being candid, aroused me in the most depraved of ways.

Patrick, my darling, you are one sick son of a bitch. And I can't exactly tell if I want to dissect your brain to look for a tumour, a blood clot or any other aberration that would account for your insanity, sit you down over a tumbler of J&B in an attempt to pry every single thing from your mind like none of your paralleled characters ever did, or beat you to death for your atrocities.

Probably all three. But...not in that order.

One thing I can surely and securely say Pat Bateman has taught me over the course of 399 pages and however many typed characters is the monotony life truly is. And although my dissatisfaction with reality has yet to tally up a body count, who knows what will transpire in the future? Who knows who out of all you fine, lucid-looking individuals is secretly an American Psycho?

Food for thought.

professional_malefail's review against another edition

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4.0

"I have to return some video tapes."

I honestly think this is a good book, save for the lengthy paragraphs about whose wearing what designer brand. Patrick's breakdowns are really interesting to read as an exploration of fragile masculinity and needing to "fit in". Also, the book is kind of funny, but if you want horror comedy the movie does it a lot better.

But, honestly, can we talk about how horrifying it is to read this book as a woman? Like, it is genuinely offputting, the long lengthy descriptions of how Bateman brutalizes women in the book. I guess since it is horror, it gets an A+ for genuinely making me mortified.

alicedawkins's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

wirawin_aria's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hodag's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

moshikami's review against another edition

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4.0

It's been a while since I read this, but it had a lot of memorable moments. Even though the subject matter was dark and there was a lot of gore, it was quite humorous and surreal. The 1980's references also make this book pretty unique.