American Psycho: 'The Cult Horror Classic: 1 (Picador Collection, 1) Paperback – 17 Feb. 2022

It's an extremely dark read. This book took me to places I had no wish to go and never wish to return to. However, as a literary work I believe it has merit.Some reviewers here have complained about the one-dimensionality of the novel, the fact that there's no plot, there's no one to like, no-one to root for. Well, I'm sorry, but why should there be? To massage the reader's ego? To pander to his or her risk of boredom? It's my opinion that everything in this book has been very carefully considered by the author. The book is told through the first person p.o.v of Patrick Bateman, who is a self-admitted psychopath whose "mask of sanity" is slipping more and more as the book unfolds. Thus we see everything through his eyes, and the flat, emotion-free witness of his mind. For instance no mention is ever made of how anyone feels. He has no empathy with others. All he can do is describe what he sees, surface, always surface. Hence the interminable lists of what everyone is wearing. Bateman both hides behind, and is comforted by the uniform of designer labels, the right accessories. He senses he needs to hide, and wants desperately to 'fit in'. At the same time that he can instantly recognize what everyone is wearing, he can hardly recognize who anyone else is. In the world of Wall Street he inhabits, everyone apparently looks the same. The novel is full of mistaken identity, not only by him, but by his fellow Wall Street workers, a fact which he exploits to his advantage. This not knowing who anybody is adds to the general sense of depersonalisation throughout the book, already a problem for Bateman.The author, at least for me, does a brilliant job of capturing the inner mind of a psychopath. For instance, he juxtaposes horrific or traumatic events (of which there are many) with mundane pronouncements from Bateman, for instance what he saw on tv that morning. A chapter which ends after a lengthy, detailed and harrowing description of torture and murder is followed by one discussing the talents of 80s popstars in equal and cheerful detail. This adds to the sense that Bateman can't relate to his crimes emotionally, has no remorse or sense of guilt. They are merely events which pass in his life, no more or less meaningful than other events, a tv show or a new CD. It's quite a brilliant stylistic move by the author to pull this off.On the subject of the murders, I must here warn the unwary reader. Having seen the movie version several years ago, which kind-of glosses over those parts of the book, I was unprepared for the level of detail and forensic description here-in. In some ways it's a novel of 2 halves, the first half being quite a mundane and reasonably sane description of the minutae of Bateman's affluent New York lifestyle. It starts to lull you after a while, and when the horror eventually begins it's a genuine shock. And it is truly horrific. In fact I can't think of another book to match it. I consider myself quite broadminded but I had a couple of moments when I actually felt physically queasy while reading. But I didn't see the violence as gratuitous., as some have, merely there to shock. It all adds to the portrait of Bateman the psychopath that is the book's goal.Is it, as many have said, a satire on 80s culture and the yuppie lifestyle? Perhaps it can be read that way, but I don't think it has to be to have worth. It's a brilliantly imagined, conceived and written portrait of a diseased psychopathic character, sometimes tragic, sometimes comic, sometimes monstrous. Another brilliant move Ellis pulls sis somehow to have Bateman remain, if not a likeable character, then somehow sympathetic. It's necessary, otherwise the reader wouldn't be able to stick with him to the end of the book. He is both terrifying and yet often vulnerable, sometimes even pathetic. It's not an easy thing for the author to pull off. I think he succeeds.Is there an obvious ending to the book? Does the monster receive justice at the hands of the authorities? Of course not. And good thing too. That would have been far too obvious and moralistic for a book like this. At one point mid way through the book he has to face an interview from a detective, during which he completely panics, and reader expectation is that he will eventually be caught, but it leads to nothing. His status and wealth is a disguise seemingly impossible to penetrate. Even when he comes out and confesses to people his crimes, which he often does, they don't really hear or believe him, thinking it a dark joke.One reading of the book, and the way the film played it, is that all the horror is merely Bateman's fantasy and never actually occurs. But this is never explicitly spelt out. It's not the way I read it. The way I see it I think Bateman really does these things, and no-one around him can see it. I think sometimes he wishes someone would see him for what he is, but is doomed to be forever misunderstood, unrecognized.It's quite a brilliant book, and rewards careful reading, but you have been warned: not for the fainthearted!

I have seen the film but this is the first time I read the book. Its thought provoking making the reader question the persute of wealth, which is the cornerstone of modern society. I found the indepth descriptions of torture a bit much and not all necessary. It's very well written but difficult to stomach. You do really get to know Bateman on a intimate level. Something that a lot of authors are not able to achieve with characters. I don't know whether I actually enjoyed the book. But I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. I do very much caution those who are going to read this novel. If you find violence difficult to read please avoid it. The dark reputation of this book is very much deserved.

A modern classic which I've read twice. I first read it about twenty years ago, and I enjoyed it. I took it on holiday last year and re-read it and appreciated it more the second time round. I guess that could be looking at the yuppie period of history with a more critical and nostalgic eye, possibly. Whatever the reason, it is a fantastic read.

American Psycho is about Patrick Bateman, an excessively privileged 27 year old man living in a world of excessively privileged people. His apparent lack of purpose in life causes him deep mental problems. The content of American Psycho is bizarre. Everyone's clothes are described in minute detail, there is a lot of dining out where everyone's food is also described in minute detail. Lots of acquaintances flit in and out, most of whom are mistaken for someone else. Almost every conversation is pointless and nonsensical. Bateman spends a lot of time renting and returning video rentals, and every day notes the subject of the Patty Winters Show(?).The violence takes a long time to creep in, but once it does, it becomes more regular. It is very unpleasant and some will find it difficult to stomach. (Tip: if you're one of these, it may be an idea to pass on novels about deranged serial killers). For his victims, Bateman has a taste for attractive young women, but doesn't mind meting out the punishment to men or animals either. Bateman is one sick puppy.American Psycho doesn't really go anywhere, and the constant descriptions and banal conversations make for a tedious read. However, after reading the brief blurb and the Afterword of the book, I completely understand why Brett Easton Ellis wrote his novel in this way; he is making a point. My rating is 5/10, rounded up to 3 stars, representing the fact that although at no time did I enjoy the novel, it has an important place on the literary shelf as it represents something different and challenging. As the blurb says, a bleak, bitter, black comedy.