The misogynistic, void-like Patrick Bateman works on Wall Street at Pierce and Pierce while spending every moment of his day chasing this idea of hyper-consumerist conformity. It makes sense to start with what is likely to be the book he is remembered for most, his “masterpiece.” American Psycho remains a controversial, disturbing psychological thriller in modern-day 2023 as much as it was when it was first published in 1991. If you haven’t taken the dive into his bibliography, Ellis will surprise you: Each book carries his trademark laconic, addictive voice as he delves into an entirely new-though no less dark-genre. Perhaps it is, yet the Bret Easton Ellis portrayed on the page is a lot like the Bret Easton Ellis seen in the media: a brandable persona/character all his own. His third novel, American Psycho, is likely the book people know best-be it for its popular 2000 film adaptation with Christian Bale or the controversy that arose amid its publication (being delisted and banned by his first publisher, negative media attention.the list goes on).Įllis has also written a number of other novels and screenplays, including one essay collection that errs towards being bold and controversial as if on brand.

A buzzy New York Times review called it 'one of the most disturbing novels in a long time', and at the mere age of 21, Ellis found himself with a burgeoning author career. He published his first book, Less Than Zero, while he was still in college, leading to a lot of public attention. It's a name that pretty much everyone will recognize, even if they’ve never picked up one of his books: Bret Easton Ellis.

American psycho book banned