American Psycho Sematic Insane (American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis)

Member Name: pedro_gavino

Product:	American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis
Date:	29/09/08 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Glorious depiction of 80's excess

Disadvantages: Maybe too gruesome for some

American Psycho - A great read if you think you can stomach it!

Brett Easton-Ellis you are my hero. This is a seminal book for me, whether you were born in the 80's, lived through it or are discovering shoulder pads, big hair and nouvelle cuisine for the first time. It is impossible to justify the actions of Bateman however you cant help thinking he was a product of a particular time and place in history.

The main character, Patrick Bateman seemingly has it all, lots of money, NY apartment, good looking, but behind this polished facade lies a disturbingly obsessive soul. Throughout this manifests itself as great narrative such as Bateman's remarkably in-depth analysis of Genesis pre and post Phil Collins, not to mention Huey Lewis and the news (...don't go there!) and his compulsive need to return video tapes!

This is a great book full of surprises so if you haven't seen the movie I wont spoil it by revealing any more and if you have then the book is much better and has a slightly different ending!

This book provides a fantastic social commentary of the 1980's, a decade of excess and selfishness. So self- absorbed is Patrick Bateman that we join him on a whirlwind tour of violence, sex, drugs, alcohol, and anarchy (not necessarily in that order). All neatly veiled behind the public image of a Wall Street banker with the money and lifestyle we mere mortals can only aspire to.

Summary: Living life on the edge, close to breaking point? Read this as a warning to the hazards of excess