That is NOT where you put a rat! (American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis)

Member Name: Elaine

Product:	American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis
Date:	20/01/01 (381 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliantly written and an excellent music review of Phil Collins!

Disadvantages: Can be very sick and depraved in parts - you'll never look at a rat the same again!

American Psycho is essential, a revealing insight into current society. The book focuses on the life of Patrick Bateman, the "perfect" businessman; smart, educated, well-mannered and obsessed with how he is perceived by his business companions/friends. He is also a terrifying psychopath with a propensity towards sudden and incredible violence and torture. The original Jeykll and Hyde transported into the late eighties, early nineties era of the yuppie.

The massive income that he and his friends receive results in a life that encounters very few of the worries that typically affect the majority; bills, mortgages, the car and so on. The biggest fears he endures are concerning the best restaurant they should go to, and where to score his cocaine without having to associate with the criminal element. This would appear to be the reason that Patrick Bateman searches so hard for a feeling of being 'alive'.

The torture of the homeless, emotional by his friends- the offering of money and then the quick withdrawal in front of their pleading eyes; and Bateman's physical torture will make you wince. The disregard for all humanity that doesn't possess an American Express platinum is shocking.

There are entire chapters devoted to Bateman's opinions on such singers as Phil Collins and Whitney Huston, combined with an near psychotic analysis of the best and most expensive skincare products, music systems, art pieces and so on. His need to be sure that his material possessions are the very best, in order that this reflect the very best of his personality is actually a plea to find something that will move him. He is constantly searching for the item that will make him feel, have emotions about it, love even.

He cannot connect to what really make us feel and love, ignoring his girlfriend/fiance as an interruption in his lifestyle and instead looking elsewhere.
He cannot feel anything with his girlfriend, instea
d picking up prostitutes in a bid to gain something more real through the acting out of his fantasies. Unfortunately he takes them to an obscene level of torture and murder, and only then can these acts pierce through his deadened mind and awaken some emotion.

Bret Easton Ellis' writing is brilliant, and will take you enthralled (and disgusted) into his world. An excellent observation into current society's consumer obsessed lifestyle, and a story that could be all too real.

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