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A review by ms4321
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
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
2.5
First of all, I think that both the American Psycho film and the musical are easily five stars.
As a satire, I think American Psycho is a really interesting exploration of hyper consumerism, narcissism, toxic masculinity and the emptiness of post modern life. I also think that aspects of the story are every bit as timely now as they were in the 80s e.g, the performative humanitarism of the characters, the tendency of people to desensitise themselves to the horrors around them using media etc.
However, I think this story works so much better as a film and a musical than it does as a book. This reads like the diary of Patrick Bateman and goes between being overly gratuitous with insanely detailed descriptions of violent acts (some of which I didn't have the stomach for and had to skip over) and long descriptions of luxury clothing and branded items. I get that that's the point...but it made the reading experience drag.
In short, unless you have time to kill, I would skip this and watch the film!
As a satire, I think American Psycho is a really interesting exploration of hyper consumerism, narcissism, toxic masculinity and the emptiness of post modern life. I also think that aspects of the story are every bit as timely now as they were in the 80s e.g, the performative humanitarism of the characters, the tendency of people to desensitise themselves to the horrors around them using media etc.
However, I think this story works so much better as a film and a musical than it does as a book. This reads like the diary of Patrick Bateman and goes between being overly gratuitous with insanely detailed descriptions of violent acts (some of which I didn't have the stomach for and had to skip over) and long descriptions of luxury clothing and branded items. I get that that's the point...but it made the reading experience drag.
In short, unless you have time to kill, I would skip this and watch the film!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Torture, Gore, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Violence, Murder, Sexism, Body horror, Body shaming, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Blood, Cannibalism, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Racism