American Psycho in Gaston Library

Sep 25, 2014 Audrey rated it did not like it

Shelves: 300-books-everyone-should-read

I have never been so viscerally moved by a book. This book made me sick to my stomach. I am fighting the urge to purge as I write this. I thought I was sufficiently desensitized from a lifetime of visual media; I've seen the movie and though not a favorite of mine, it didn't bother me. I couldn't even finish this book; I only made it to 76%. I almost gave up several times beginning at about 40%, but I kept thinking I would eventually get used to such graphic descriptions. I didn't. I also consid I have never been so viscerally moved by a book. This book made me sick to my stomach. I am fighting the urge to purge as I write this. I thought I was sufficiently desensitized from a lifetime of visual media; I've seen the movie and though not a favorite of mine, it didn't bother me. I couldn't even finish this book; I only made it to 76%. I almost gave up several times beginning at about 40%, but I kept thinking I would eventually get used to such graphic descriptions. I didn't. I also considered giving this book a three star rating just for giving me such a strong reaction, but I couldn't do that either. I am so thoroughly discussed by the images created by this book that I'm pretty sure they will haunt my dreams for years to come.

The devil is in the details. That couldn't be more true for this book. I was put off right from the beginning by the amount of details the author used to describe the protagonist's, Patrick Bateman, world. But of course, I realize that the detail is a means of character building; it allows to you get an idea of what is going on inside the head of this deranged character with whom most people would other wise have no possible way of connecting. He describes his world in terms of brand labels. We are forced to learn the designer names and prices of every single article of clothing he wears, every personal hygiene product, every piece of electronics that he owns, every item of food or drink he consumes, and the brand names of the clothing that every person with whom he comes into contact is wearing....ad nauseam. No detail is left unmolested. Unfortunately, that is not the worst part. The breaking for me is the details with which he uses to describe the sex and violence. I am not easily put off by graphic sex scenes, but there is a first for everything. I found myself wanting desperately for the sex scenes to be over so I could stop feeling so dirty...filthy...depraved. But the casual torture and murder of innocent people (and animals), was the deal breaker. I just couldn't take it anymore. The details used to describe the sounds, the sights, the way the victims were feeling during their slow and agonizing deaths...my stomach is roiling right now.

This book is not for the feint of heart. I am ashamed to count it as part of my reading repertoire. ...more

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