38 pages • 1 hour read
Bret Easton EllisAmerican Psycho
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis follows wealthy New York stockbroker Patrick Bateman as he navigates a world of vapid commercialism and excess in the 1980s, while his psychopathic thoughts escalate into real-life acts of violence and murder, fueled by drug use and worsening mental illness. The book includes graphic content involving violence, rape, and torture.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is a polarizing novel that elicits strong reactions. Praised for its satirical take on 1980s consumerism and the vacuity of Wall Street culture, it also garners criticism due to its graphic violence and disturbing content. Readers appreciate Ellis's sharp prose but some find the explicit scenes overwhelming.
Who Should Read American Psycho?
Readers who would enjoy American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis typically appreciate dark satire, psychological thrillers, and explorations of depravity and consumerism. Fans of Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk or Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess may find Ellis’s work compelling due to its provocative, boundary-pushing content and commentary on modern society.