The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
dwsampson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Death, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Cannibalism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Body horror, Child death, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug use, Murder, Violence, Rape, Blood, Gore, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Torture
Trigger warning: quite literally almost everythingfelicity98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Gun violence, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Classism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual harassment, Blood, Cannibalism, Homophobia, and Murder
tsalani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Torture, Death, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Violence, Child death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Drug use, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Cannibalism, Classism, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Murder, and Rape
caitdanger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexism, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Xenophobia, Violence, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Murder, Transphobia, Torture, Misogyny, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
p0ndscum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Cannibalism, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Homophobia, Child death, Animal death, Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Excrement and Abortion
notlikethebeer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
To be really honest, I still don't know what to make of this book.Ā
It was so incredibly clever - and so incredibly, unbelieveably grim. It's been interesting to see how much of a 'big deal' it is within mainstream culture, yet how much of that is probably largely attributable to just the movie. Part of me wants to say that the violence, horror and general atrocity is gratuitous, and goes beyond the level 'required' to make the points that BEE was making. But then I wonder whether to say that is to dismiss some of the point? Similarly, it's easy to go for the whole 'okay but clearly none of this could possibly have happened' stance - but that, too, feels like a kind of betrayal of the actual book, a way of making it more palatable.
The racism, misogyny and homophobia present within this book are really unparalleled to any other book within mainstream culture. I think that raises questions though, particularly regarding separating the author from the work, and whether a work that portrays x view necessarily promotes that same view.
Mostly, I just have a lot of questions. I felt quite relieved once I finished reading it, and I've felt a bit nervous about writing this review. I want to sit with my thoughts and feelings on it for a lot longer, to try and figure out a bit more about what it is I want to say!
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Murder, Gore, Blood, Torture, Sexual violence, Racism, and Homophobia
If you can think of a content warning, it probably applies, not gonna lie.wilsone8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Misogyny, Body horror, Drug use, Murder, Hate crime, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Blood, and Rape
lexisbookishburrow's review against another edition
I enjoyed the movie and though I might like this too. I was wrong.Ā
Graphic: Racial slurs, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Ableism, Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
sidekicksam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I won't be giving a summary of the premise - we all know the story. I don't think I've ever written such an extensive brain dump before, but then again, American Psycho will evoke strong feelings. If you're planning on reading this, don't read on and just go ahead and read it. But beware of the trigger warnings because the violence and gore is everything you heard about and worse. Also: if you do read this in its entirety: thank you and I'm sorry for all the rambling.
Some random thoughts that have floated in and out of my mind when I just finished it:
- Is this how men feel when they read unhinged women books?
- I don't think I've ever had such physical reactions to reading passages in a book, ever.
- Is this the most fucked up thing I've ever read?
- Is this one of the best things I've ever read? Is it?
After sleeping on it, and letting it simmer for a bit (
Pat Bateman is a white, rich, and handsome man, but those who have it all and never have to worry a day in their life also bear a great deal of boredom and emptiness. We see it in the characters other than the protagonist of The Secret History, as well as the main character of My Year of Rest and Relaxation. For some reason, these people don't seem to be equipped to deal with the mundanity of the world. Of life.
Ā
Who would? If you don't cook a day in your life because going out to a different restaurant every night is something everyone in your social circle does, and if you can get cocaine as easily as a pack of gum in the supermarket, what else is special anymore? What do you have to make you feel something? Bear in mind that dysfunctional families that value appearances and out-shining each other over actual loving and caring relationships are the norm in the upper class, and it's no wonder our protagonist doesn't feel anything.Ā
The ego-centric mindset of the characters in this book is so well written, I donāt think Iāve rolled my eyes even once. Despite having followed them on several nights out, dates and dinners, I have no real sense of who the characters besides Bateman actually were or did. I donāt think he did either. But then again, they also mistake each other for other people all the time too, and they all don't care about being mistaken for someone else either.
The consumer state-of-mind, with the (imagined?) competition for who has the best clothing, taste in women/restaurants/drugs, uses the proper skin care products and who takes care of their body best, is central to the book, and is what makes it such a relatable work of satire. I (obviously) canāt relate to Batemanās homicidal tendencies, but I can sure understand why heād be obsessed with having the fanciest business card or the newest of the new stuff.Ā
And to just state the most insanely amazing thing about this book: I donāt think Iāve ever had any other feelings for a serial killer than pure loathing, but heās so well written: you get what drives him to do it? Heās an absolute repugnant, foul, disgusting human being, but if you donāt have to worry a day in your life about money, retaining your job, or even getting caught, it's little wonder this is what money and power drives you to.
It would have made him a better person if he decided to get a thrill or some feeling by helping in war zones or doing another extreme sport every day, but it wouldnāt have made him such a compelling character. (I hereby promise that if I ever get that filthy rich, I'll just buy libraries and drown myself in books rather than go down the Bateman road)
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Classism, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexual violence, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
thereadingdude's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Death, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual harassment, Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Abortion