American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
made me question my own moral compass
Rating: 8/10
Genre: Horror Fiction
Book Summary:
Patrick Bateman works in finance in Manhattan. The book is based in the mid-80’s. Bateman is obsessed with his looks and materialistic things. He is also obsessed with what everyone has around him. American Psycho is a dark and satirical. It follows Bateman as a banker during the day and a psychopathic, violent killer at night.
Favourite Quotes:
“What do you do?”
“I’m into, uh, well, murders and executions mostly” - person mistakes him for saying ‘mergers and acquisitions‘
Would I read this book again?: Absolutely not - This book made me have horrible visions. It was beyond disturbing.
Would I recommend this book?: Yes - If someone wanted to challenge themselves I would recommend giving it a try. Though I would warn them heavily of its content. If you are mentally prepared and don’t have a weak stomach then give it a go.
First Impressions: Horrifying Violent, Ridiculous, Clever
Final thoughts: This book made me question my own moral compass. the author very intentionally made long parts of the book very boring to read. While some segments resonated with the characters, others appeared arbitrary. However, this technique compelled readers to persist, almost eager to confront the repugnant violence that ensued, leaving them with a profound sense of self-reproach.
Key Takeaways: The build up to the violence was done in such a way that you as a reader had to keep going on. However the level of violence was so graphic and absurd I had to literally imagine the characters as not real people. The book portrayed a very dark view of capitalist society. Materialism was a huge theme throughout the book. Bateman and the people around him are obsessed with their own image. They will also ridicule those without wealth like homeless people, as they are seen as worthy of respect or care. Bateman kills homeless people because a homeless man being allowed to live means that people's worth has nothing to do with money. Therefore letting them live challenges Batemans belief that wealth and status give him worth.
The novel shows the ultimate goal for a capitalist society is to value only wealth and materialism and there is no inherent value in anything else. The juxtaposition of mundane details from Bateman's life with grotesque acts of violence results in a disconcertingly numbing experience, evoking a deliberate effect intended by Bret Easton Ellis. The novel prompts readers to contemplate their own capacity for such horrors, challenging societal norms and individual morality.
