Rating: 
Summary: Breath-Takingly Beautiful!
Review: American Psycho has caused quite a stir. It has been attacked by feminists and authors/reviewers alike. Personally, I found the book very intriguing. It is a scary look at society and an even more horrifying look into the matter-of-fact mind of a serial killer, Patrick Bateman. The style of writing is superb, in the first person, however the detail to which the narrator goes into can get somewhat frustrating. I didn't need to spend six pages on this guy's morning routine nor did I have a great desire to know everything each character is wearing, not to mention the designer, store where it was purchased, or the cost of the item. On the other hand, Bateman's obsession with trivial things like these may be the link to his mental state. Could it be today's vainglorious and superficial society that drove him to his madness? Ellis opens the door to some topics of discussion that people, regretfully, choose to ignore. These are issues that need to be faced because things like this DO happen. Senseless crimes happen everywhere, everyday. We can't turn our backs on these issues. I applaud Mr. Ellis for bringing this to light. I do not, as many do, find his book the least bit offensive. It is graphic, sometimes repulsing, but not offensive. It is a brilliantly concocted story of a man who could be walking through your city at any given moment, with a suprising and clever ending. Don't pass up the opportunity to read this highly insightful book.
Rating: 
Summary: American So-So
Review: Now that enough time has passed and the hysteria has faded, perhapspeople can judge Ellis's book on its merits. .... That said, American Psycho, like the controversy that surrounded it, is already beginning to seem dated. The hyperawareness of designer labels and ultraluxury product is now parodied in every teen movie that hits the theaters. The beautiful, shallow Patrick Bateman (kinda like Norman Bates, how clever!) is not a character but a conceit, and conceits get old, fast.Ellis can write. He's entertaining and he composes good dialogue and he's always a little smarter than you think he is. American Psycho has some terrifically funny moments. It's just that there are so many books, and so little time. Instead of this one I'd go for King Suckerman by George Pelecanos, one of the best crime novels of our day.
Rating:
Summary: Scared the hell out of me!
Review: My friend gave me this book to read before seeing the movie (movie was actually very good!) telling me, "I dare you not to scream and chuck the book across the room at least once while your reading it! " Well, I didn't live up to her dare, close though! The book in itself has some really funny moments (I know some people think the clothing/wallet/resturant parts are boring, I thought they were hysterical). It then does a complete 180 around page 150 and turns to full throttle disturbing horror. I was scared out of my mind in the day it took me to read this. I was thoroughly disturbed when I finished the book and quickly wanted it out of my sight. More power to people who can read this one twice, I myself cannot. I will never look at anyone in an Armani suit with a firm handshake the same way again!
Rating: 
Summary: A Frightening Look Into a Madman's Mind
Review: American Psycho delivers a chilling insight into the intellectual chamber of a man on the edge; not the edge of sanity, however. He is on the edge of his own limitations, and these limitations control his actions and thoughts. Your opinion plays a large part in the end of this book, and this novel definately stays in your mind a while after you read it. Excellent and stunning.
Rating:
Summary: American Psycho
Review: The novel American Psycho was fabulously well written. At once, both satiric and realistic, this novel flowed. The story of Bateman is a variation of a classic hero. He's rich, handsome, respected and educated. In all, he has many attributes we all work to attain. He is furthermore a hero for the quest he is drawn into. He's trying to get help for the murders. Whether or not he committed the murders is up to the reader to decide. But either way, the man has mental issues. I found myself cheering him on, hoping this hero would obtain his quest. Well done novel.
Rating:
Summary: I talk to God but the sky is empty
Review: If anyone is feeling nostalgic about the 80's, then read this novel and you will soon get over it. Thatcher's 80's was just as much of a nightmare as Reagan's and it is important to remember how close we were to total nuclear holocaust.
Rating:
Summary: This is not an exit
Review: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! and as others have mentioned "a very hard read" you will either love it or hate it very very disturbing :)
Rating: 
Summary: just skip to the sex and violence
Review: I read this book the way Patrick Bateman would--I skipped immediately to the detailed porno scenes and the murders. Those were at least entertaning. The rest of the book is tedious descriptions of suits, skirts, toothpaste, muscles, etc. The problem here is that Ellis has no subtlety. His message--COMPLETE MATERIALISM OVER ALL--is banged into your skull ad nauseam. I can't be reading 4 pages of description on how expensive someone's suit is. Who has time for that? Pat Bateman wouldn't.
Rating:
Summary: Book should come with tranquilizers (in an Hermes pill box)
Review: This book, though disturbing, was an incredible roller coaster ride. I finished it one sitting - unbelievable. However, clearly not for everyone. If you do not know the difference between Lithium and Valium or Ferragamo and Fendi, you may find this incredibly tedious. (Every other commentator has mentioned the violence so I will not beat a dead horse here - please excuse the pun!) I hate to say that I found it riveting. However, I agree with an earlier commentator - did the murder of Paul Owens really happen? There really should be groups gathering for discussion (naturally there would be a dress code!)
Rating:
Summary: A Dark Ambiguous Tale
Review: After all the negative feedback surrounding the publication of this book in 1991 , I didn`t know what to expect , I thought that this might be a case of an untalented writer trying to shock his way to fame . When I actually read the book in 1998 I was surprised by how darkly funny , and disturbing it was . Patrick Bateman is the american psycho of the book , who`s priorities in life are shallow materialistic things , like designer suits and shoes , always looking for the next big deal , trying to reserve the best table in the best eating joint , bland music , and er , he also kills women .
The first half of the book is very funny , describing Bateman`s nights out on the town , and his views on women . Bret Easton Ellis uses a repetitive style of writing to highlight the shallowness of Bateman`s life , and I think this works well . The second half of the book is far more darker , and some chapters are particularly disturbing . On one level the theme of this book is similar to that of The Great Gatsby , in that it is about a person who embraces the " American Dream " successfully , and yet has a completely empty life , ( this could be the cause of his monstrous behaviour ) . On another level you could say that this was the work of a misogynist , but I think Ellis`s very unflattering portrait of the american male , as well as the female , disproves this .
This book was better than I had expected , and certainly had more depth . I`d recommend this book to anyone who isn`t easily shocked.
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