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Summary: A troublesome text for a troubled society
Review: From a writer's point of view, this text is a prodigious achievement. Looking further afield, toward its potential readership, one wonders how far it can go. Without doubt destined to become a classic piece of twentieth century literature, it is nevertheless a very troublesome tome for a readership not yet convinced of its own vulnerability.Bret Easton Ellis holds nothing back - it is perhaps the real strength of the book, beyond the impeccable writing. Dealing with the very worm twisting itself around in the depths of the human soul, Ellis has exposed the beast's progress to some extent, in a way carefully avoided by almost all other modern writers (exceptions would be Chris Scott, "Bartleby;" Colin Wilson, a number of novels, particularly "Lingard"). In so doing, he has given us a finely grained exposé of just how life in the late twentieth century is progressing. Is it fair to say that all of society is reflected in the mechanical rituals of the zombie-like Patrick Batemen? That is hardly the point. Ellis is taking us to a place which, as a society, we have not reached yet. But at the same time, he is carefully exploding the myth of late twentieth century materialism, and serving us an extremely graphic warning of what is to come. I for one, respect what I take to be the intentions of this skilful portrayal of a society starting to consume itself, almost like the worm that eats its own body, starting at the tail and working relentlessly back towards the very mouth that is doing the feeding. Troublesome indeed, but needs to be read.
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Summary: whats wrong with readers nowadays?
Review: Having read the reviews below, I'm fascinated that such literalism is as pervasive as it is here. I think one of the major points of BEE's story is the relativity of economic violence, of class pretension, to actual physical violence. Bateman's psychosis, detailed in Rabelais-like lists and routine, is expressed as deeply by his vanity and status obsession as by his violence against his victims. The opening sentence of the book draws a comparison between Auschwitz and Wall Street, and that should be a clue to the depth of satire BEE is undertaking. In a society that utterly lacks self-criticism (the antithesis of greed, self-obsessed status seeking, and physical violence), BEE's narrative detachment serves to show that Bateman's character has no foundation other than an uncritical self-obsession, and why not? Its interesting to re-read this book at a time when dot com mania has swept the country... the same greed and status seeking that drives Bateman's obsession and lack of social responsibility is lurking in the pre-IPO mania that has devoured the national economic/social agenda. This book is dead-on satire (pun intended) and an indespensible look at the logical and disgusting extremes of a culture of ridiculous consumption (why not eat one's victims? ) One final note: I cannot recommend Mary Harron's film of the book highly enough. She and co-screenwriter Guenivere Turner have nailed the dark satire perfectly. While nowhere near as graphic as the novel, the film brings the blank, interchangable nature of Bateman's character into sharp focus, and Christian Bale is outstanding. A "must see".
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Summary: American Classic!
Review: This book was beautiful. Perhaps some did not take it for what it is. The fashion descriptions and tedious redundancy was key. It was all woven into what exactly makes Patrick Bateman what he is. Good reading. A bit creepy. I can't believe anyone who picked it up couldn't love it! What did they think they were in store for? I highly recommend it as an avid reader.
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Summary: ATTENTION READER FROM NORWAY
Review: The reader from Norway asks "who cares?" And yet...this same reader was so disturbed by this book that he or she could not even finish it...and, after getting 3/4 of the way through it, ripped it up. Not to mention that despite the fact that he or she read it YEARS AGO, the memory of it still lingers...and he or she still feels the desire to destroy every copy he or she lays eyes on. So...to answer his or her question..."who cares?" Obviously, reader from Norway, YOU care. This book, while not for all tastes, is nevertheless an indispensable piece of literature...both as a gateway into the downward spiral of the sociopathic mind, and as a time capsule to the greed and materialism of the Me Generation. Shocking? Of course...anything this honest can be interpreted as shocking. This is the world we live in...and living in a sick and twisted world (doing NOTHING whatsoever to better it), how can ANYONE possibly denounce this or any other book as sick and twisted? Hypocrisy is partaken of by the multitudes and reviled by the few...I guess that makes me one of the few.
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Summary: Shudder
Review: This book will chill you to the bone---and you will never again feel the same way about the "all American" boy next door. A monster could be lurking behind that boyish grin----. It is a book that stays with you---forever. Definitely not for the sqeamish.....
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Summary: Very disturbing, but engrossing all at once
Review: I'm not sure what my reaction is to this book, only that it's not for the faint of heart. Despite being one of the most disturbing novels I've ever read, I couldn't put it down. It's the type of book that I hope my mother never reads- I don't think she could handle it. But it's definitely one to pick up . . . just don't read it late at night.
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Summary: "Natural Born Killers" a la Armani
Review: The author has acquired as much knowledge of yuppiedom, inlanguage, clothing, scents, "dining experiences," etc., aspossible for any one person to do, and he trots it out to fill space between horrific tableaux. I use that word in its specific S&M meaning; presentations are a large part of the sexual thrill, as they are for the Material Boy here depicted. It seems everybody has to have a hobby suited to his/ her interests these days. I thought I'd scream if I read "Amani" even just once more -- so Ellis decides to add some vivid color to his bland societal depiction -- blood- red color, of course. Lots of yuppie blah blah blah, then murder(s) after torture(s), then more yuppie blah blah blah, sort of the "meat" between slices of a white-bread sandwich. Ho hum. What else is new among people who don't get the heaves after reading one or another enactment of this character's perversions realized in sickening detail? We have enough real serial killers and details about them to not need to read about gore created to this extreme. Sam Peckinpah had a reason for the graphic violence in "The Wild Bunch" -- to show that violence hurts and kills very graphically, and Americans should know victims don't just courteously keel over when shot. Noble goal, but it has been totally turned upside down. I'm afraid that Ellis, unlike Peckinpah, only had an eye on the dollar sign, no noble goal that. If you like homicidal chic, this book is for you. Others may wish to avoid it.
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Summary: yeeeeeek!
Review: i need a discussion group to purge (exorcise) this book from my mind - it won't leave! i flinched the other day when someone mentioned sorbet. some of you reviewers please tell me where you got the idea that every book has to have a "plot". the lack of "plot" and shallowness of characters were part of the effect, and the whole point! i dare you to tell me that a cheerio (in a small chair) being interviewed on patty winters wasn't funny. i feel guilty for liking this one.
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Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Such a clever book, Bret Easton Ellis has the fine art of taking a sensitive subject and turning it into one of the most ironic books I've ever read. American Psyco will leave you with a some what bad taste in your mouth, but it is one of the most invigorating reads you will have for a long time.
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Summary: I hate it, I like it, I can't decide!
Review: Mr. Ellis has painted a portrait of a deeply disturbed and utterly depraved sociopath. I've never read a more explicitly violent book. I mean, the guy eats his victims' brains and intestines! That said, I have to say that this was a brilliant piece of work. Very disturbing, but brilliant. Don't let anyone under 21 anywhere NEAR this book.
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