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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The movie feels almost PG compared to this manic novel, and I think there's merit in the extremity of its satire and its ruthless depictions of violence.
First of all, I really enjoyed the structure of the book. There was a great balance between the "white noise" walls of brand and designer name observations, the deconstructed stream-of-consciousness self-reflections, and the almost unreadable, vile killings. These elements were spaced out in such a way that the book was simultaneously “boring” and incredibly tense and unnerving.
One element I found particularly interesting was the depiction of queerness in Bateman, the suppression of it, and the allusions to past homosexual experiences, something I don’t recall being explored in the film.
It’s apparent that Ellis recognizes the lies of patriarchy and the false promise of happiness through capitalist success. In a 2011 interview, he notes that Patrick’s lifestyle is "...a lifestyle that never seemed to include passion, creativity, curiosity, romance, pain. Everything meaningful wiped away in favor of surfaces...". In that way I think it’s important to consider the author's relationship to this story and the subsequent changes in transparency about what made him write this story. It’s quite fascinating, especially given his career as a writer and his background as a rich L.A. kid with a dysfunctional family.
Chilling stuff. 8/10
First of all, I really enjoyed the structure of the book. There was a great balance between the "white noise" walls of brand and designer name observations, the deconstructed stream-of-consciousness self-reflections, and the almost unreadable, vile killings. These elements were spaced out in such a way that the book was simultaneously “boring” and incredibly tense and unnerving.
One element I found particularly interesting was the depiction of queerness in Bateman, the suppression of it, and the allusions to past homosexual experiences, something I don’t recall being explored in the film.
It’s apparent that Ellis recognizes the lies of patriarchy and the false promise of happiness through capitalist success. In a 2011 interview, he notes that Patrick’s lifestyle is "...a lifestyle that never seemed to include passion, creativity, curiosity, romance, pain. Everything meaningful wiped away in favor of surfaces...". In that way I think it’s important to consider the author's relationship to this story and the subsequent changes in transparency about what made him write this story. It’s quite fascinating, especially given his career as a writer and his background as a rich L.A. kid with a dysfunctional family.
Chilling stuff. 8/10
i understand what the point and intent of this book was, but i just…didn’t enjoy any of it. at least i can watch the movie now.
honestly i hated the chapter where they were all going back and forth about where to have dinner more than i hated the graphic murder torture scenes
overall very much enjoyed but only recommend if you enjoy horror and have thick skin when it comes to gore
overall very much enjoyed but only recommend if you enjoy horror and have thick skin when it comes to gore
challenging
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
I have such a vivid picture of the clothes everyone was wearing in this book
dark
reflective
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
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Maddening
The last 200-250 pages of this book I had to read in one big multi-hour stint, otherwise I was NEVER going to be able to pick the book up again. I am scarred but it was worth the read (I think)