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billston's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Even though its quite slow to get into, it picks up the pace. Very interesting with an ending you dont expect. Its very hardcore and graphic to read which I dont normally like but really good read. So kept on going!
4daash's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-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
2.5
thefallenlegion's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
m_h_dahl's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.0
American Psycho is like a mirror held up to society's ugliest blemishes, reflecting back a distorted image of excess, greed, and moral decay. Bret Easton Ellis doesn't pull any punches in his critique of 1980s America, taking aim at several aspects of society that he sees as particularly problematic.
From the designer suits to the expensive dinners to the luxury apartments, the characters in the novel are obsessed with outward appearances and material possessions. For them, success is measured not by personal fulfillment or meaningful relationships, but by the size of their bank accounts and the labels on their clothes. Ellis's portrayal of this obsession with wealth and status serves as a scathing indictment of a culture that values things over people and equates material wealth with personal worth.
But it's not just consumerism that Ellis takes aim at – he also tackles the toxic masculinity that pervades society. Patrick Bateman is undoubtedly one of the most despicable characters to ever grace the pages of literature. Observing his interactions with others is akin to watching a grisly murder unfold in slow motion – his cruelty knows no bounds, his moral compass is nonexistent, and his treatment of women is shockingly misogynistic and objectifying. Furthermore, his obsession with material possessions reaches such absurd heights that the mere thought of appearing anything less than perfect can send him spiraling into anxiety, whether it's due to wearing the wrong coat or failing to secure a reservation at the 'right' restaurant.
Ellis spares no detail in describing the gruesome acts of violence perpetrated by the protagonist, Patrick Bateman. In Bateman's world, there is no morality, no empathy, no redemption. The characters are devoid of humanity, consumed by their own selfish desires and obsessions. Bateman's treatment of women is not just violent, it's deeply misogynistic, with every act of brutality serving to reinforce his warped views on gender and power. Women are objectified, commodified, and ultimately disposable, reduced to nothing more than props in Bateman's twisted fantasies.
The book is undeniably a dark satire, with every aspect of its narrative exaggerated to the point of absurdity. From the larger-than-life personalities to the outlandish opinions, Bret Easton Ellis pushes the boundaries of believability to critique society on the brink of collapse. It's hard to fathom how anyone could read this book without recognizing its satirical intent, especially considering the graphic and deeply disturbing depictions of extreme violence.
I've chosen to focus on the book's critique of societal norms and materialism, which warrants a three-star rating. By juxtaposing Bateman's violent tendencies with his obsession with status symbols, Ellis highlights the hollowness of a culture that places value on superficial markers of wealth and prestige. The relentless pursuit of material possessions comes at the expense of genuine human connection and moral integrity, leaving behind a society devoid of empathy and compassion.
From the designer suits to the expensive dinners to the luxury apartments, the characters in the novel are obsessed with outward appearances and material possessions. For them, success is measured not by personal fulfillment or meaningful relationships, but by the size of their bank accounts and the labels on their clothes. Ellis's portrayal of this obsession with wealth and status serves as a scathing indictment of a culture that values things over people and equates material wealth with personal worth.
But it's not just consumerism that Ellis takes aim at – he also tackles the toxic masculinity that pervades society. Patrick Bateman is undoubtedly one of the most despicable characters to ever grace the pages of literature. Observing his interactions with others is akin to watching a grisly murder unfold in slow motion – his cruelty knows no bounds, his moral compass is nonexistent, and his treatment of women is shockingly misogynistic and objectifying. Furthermore, his obsession with material possessions reaches such absurd heights that the mere thought of appearing anything less than perfect can send him spiraling into anxiety, whether it's due to wearing the wrong coat or failing to secure a reservation at the 'right' restaurant.
Ellis spares no detail in describing the gruesome acts of violence perpetrated by the protagonist, Patrick Bateman. In Bateman's world, there is no morality, no empathy, no redemption. The characters are devoid of humanity, consumed by their own selfish desires and obsessions. Bateman's treatment of women is not just violent, it's deeply misogynistic, with every act of brutality serving to reinforce his warped views on gender and power. Women are objectified, commodified, and ultimately disposable, reduced to nothing more than props in Bateman's twisted fantasies.
The book is undeniably a dark satire, with every aspect of its narrative exaggerated to the point of absurdity. From the larger-than-life personalities to the outlandish opinions, Bret Easton Ellis pushes the boundaries of believability to critique society on the brink of collapse. It's hard to fathom how anyone could read this book without recognizing its satirical intent, especially considering the graphic and deeply disturbing depictions of extreme violence.
I've chosen to focus on the book's critique of societal norms and materialism, which warrants a three-star rating. By juxtaposing Bateman's violent tendencies with his obsession with status symbols, Ellis highlights the hollowness of a culture that places value on superficial markers of wealth and prestige. The relentless pursuit of material possessions comes at the expense of genuine human connection and moral integrity, leaving behind a society devoid of empathy and compassion.
rkragsdale's review against another edition
4.0
this book was incredibly disturbing but, at the risk of sounding pretentious, actually a pretty fuckin interesting commentary on the value placed on appearances. (: but also don't read it if you get spooked easy.
esthersedition's review against another edition
1.0
To my surprise, just because you see a Tik-Tok of an age-restricted novel, described as 'shocking' doesn't actually mean it's any good...
If I could rate this book 0/5 I honestly would. After reading this novel, the author's notes and watching the author's interviews trying to find a plausible explanation behind the rationale for this book - I was still left with nothing.
The novel was overly descriptive & gruesome; with no real end to it. Just one flimsy overarching theme of how dissatisfied the protagonist was with life (which doesn’t really justify the brutal series of murders that gradually just got worse and worse). Other less graphic devices could have been used to depict this 'dissatisfaction with life' trope. Though I guess, it being based around the Wall Street lifestyle and its ostentatious display of any and everything... 'the bigger the better' huh? The only mildly interesting aspect about this novel was that it was left to the reader to distinguish what was real and what wasn't but ultimately this doesn't save it from simply being a boring book.
If you like mind-numbing, gruesome depictions of sexually motivated, a lot of the time racially motivated murders, (sometimes just murdering for the sake of murdering) boring details of wall street dinners and clubs - then this book is sadly for you.
However much I disliked this book, it is still what is considered Brett's magnum opus - which somehow a large, strange demographic of people seem to love -so to each their own. Although I don't agree with the death threats he has received over the graphic contents of this book, I do, however, agree that certain parts were wholly controversial and simply too graphic.
But that's the beauty of literature - you can write whatever you want - because it's your world, your fiction which you have created, so he should at least have his freedom of expression, and at least it's age-restricted.
In short, though, it's a very disappointing piece of literature.
If I could rate this book 0/5 I honestly would. After reading this novel, the author's notes and watching the author's interviews trying to find a plausible explanation behind the rationale for this book - I was still left with nothing.
The novel was overly descriptive & gruesome; with no real end to it. Just one flimsy overarching theme of how dissatisfied the protagonist was with life (which doesn’t really justify the brutal series of murders that gradually just got worse and worse). Other less graphic devices could have been used to depict this 'dissatisfaction with life' trope. Though I guess, it being based around the Wall Street lifestyle and its ostentatious display of any and everything... 'the bigger the better' huh? The only mildly interesting aspect about this novel was that it was left to the reader to distinguish what was real and what wasn't but ultimately this doesn't save it from simply being a boring book.
If you like mind-numbing, gruesome depictions of sexually motivated, a lot of the time racially motivated murders, (sometimes just murdering for the sake of murdering) boring details of wall street dinners and clubs - then this book is sadly for you.
However much I disliked this book, it is still what is considered Brett's magnum opus - which somehow a large, strange demographic of people seem to love -so to each their own. Although I don't agree with the death threats he has received over the graphic contents of this book, I do, however, agree that certain parts were wholly controversial and simply too graphic.
But that's the beauty of literature - you can write whatever you want - because it's your world, your fiction which you have created, so he should at least have his freedom of expression, and at least it's age-restricted.
In short, though, it's a very disappointing piece of literature.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Really graphic and truly disturbing read. A glimpse into the mind of a psychopathic young new yorker who is also obsessed with identifying the designer of all the clothes of any character in the book. For the record, I'm wearing $15 sock monkey pajama pants from Target. ;)
bujo_planbee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ssmart213's review against another edition
4.0
This book was disgusting in a wonderful way. I thought I was going to hate it as soon as I started reading his list and list of material objects but as the book went on his annoyance began to mean something to me.I started to feel sympathy for this deranged character. As the story progressed I could barely look at the page with out wanting to vomit.