Title and Author: American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

Plot Overview: American Psycho follows young and wealthy businessman Patrick Bateman through his life at home and at work. It’s clear early in the novel that Bateman is unstable and has violent, intrusive thoughts. He notices and critiques every detail, whether it is clothing, business cards, and especially other people. The novel intensifies when he begins to commit murders and even kills one of his own colleagues.

Critique: I really liked this novel because of how it shows his sanity gradually fading away. I also liked the negative view of capitalism. For example, Bateman says out loud how he plans to murder people he encounters on multiple occasions, but his comments are brushed aside as his colleagues are too engrossed with their business and personal concerns.

One thing I didn’t like was the end where it becomes unclear whether Bateman actually committed the series of murders he describes. It could be a way of showing how crazy he is in that he has convinced himself of doing things he’s never done, but I find it fairly confusing.

Star Rating: 5/5

Additional Comments: It’s also a movie featuring Christian Bale and Jared Leto