tieraisreading 's review for:

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

3.5

challenging dark reflective tense 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

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This novel is deeply disturbing, not because of the extreme gore (which was heavily watered down for the film) but because of the cold, sharp realism in how it portrays men in positions of power. Patrick Bateman confesses to murder, and no one takes him seriously. People either laugh, ignore him, or assume he's joking, and that’s what makes this so unsettling: it's not just about a killer, it's about a world that enables him. The film is excellent and entertaining in its own way, but the novel gives you direct access to Bateman’s mind. You see how hollow, performative, and terrifying he really is. The gore and bigotry are sometimes overwhelming, and definitely not for everyone, but if you can push through that, the book's core is genuinely brilliant. It forces you to confront the blurred line between reality and delusion and reminds you that the most dangerous people often wear the best suits and hold the most power.