Statutory warning: If graphic depiction of sex & physical violence disturbs you, dont pick this book. This is not your run of the mill violence, it is extreme and very very graphic.
American Psycho is, literally, the story of an American psychopath. A man who lives a very upscale, outwardly normal life but has severe psychosis - where lines between reality and fantasy blur trapping a man in between. Its a very disturbing depiction of how modern day materialism can make a man empty and hollow and to fill that mental void, a man can slip to unmentionable depths.
Wikipedia has an excellent review of the book. I would strongly suggest reading it before picking up the book. The review gives away the plot and the surprise factor in the story but many readers might struggle getting through the book without it. The reason for this rather unconventional approach is the book’s style and narrative.
The book, for all practical purposes, has no typical storyline. Its written in first person as a narrative and its just a mumbling, bumbling and at times, illogical representation events that happen in the life of the protagonist. There is no reason why we have to read pages after pages of disconnected conversation of people sitting in restaurants and nightclubs and blowing money on expensive champagnes and exotic food.. There are endless references to men’s and woman’s fashion and designer brands. Chapters are devoted to analyzing music of some big artists of the 80s such as Whitney Houston. None of the characters seem to be doing anything to influence the story. Yet the book is gripping because after your mind is confused with the yet another disconnected episode set in some upmarket NY night club, the book turns to extreme violence and physical sadomasochistic sex. Its as if the reader, along with the protagonist, is trying to find relief, gratification in these brutal acts. As if this is the outlet for all the madness that is going around him.Whether this is reality or fantasy. Read the book to find out.
The book is not available easily in stores. I purchased it online and got it on my 2nd attempt. There is also a movie based on this book and thought I have only seen the movie in parts, it tempted me to read the book.
After you put down the book, you cant but be left with a mind numbing sense of having witnessed a grim and shocking facet of our world and you cant help but wonder on how, varying degrees, we all share the same tendencies. They might not manifest themselves in the same degree or in a similar manner. So what do we do to find substance and meaning in our otherwise pointless pursuit of material gratification??