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Question: What do you think of the American Psycho book!?
I have read the book a few times, and it is truly an amazing book!. But I am still wondering whether Patrick Bateman did kill Paul Owen, and who he did or didn't kill!. I understand the themes and the ending perfectly, but I want to know what you people think actually happened!. Or if you think that Bret Easton Ellis specifically left enough clues for the reader to make it his/her own interpretation of it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I just finished American Psycho tonight!. I think it's a fantastic book, as is everything else I've read from Ellis!. I have no scholarly analysis to offer, just my point of view!.

I think there is plenty of doubt about everything in American Psycho!. I think ambiguity is the key!. I think we are dealing with perception, reality and individual viewpoint!. I think that what I might think happened should not mean one tiny little thing to you and what you might think happened!. I think that trying to boil the entire discussion down to yes or no completely misses the whole damn point!.

You certainly have the opportunity to make whatever package you need to make out of it!. Turn it as you need it turned, read it as you need it read!.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go return some videotapes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I agree that this book is very interesting!. It is undoubtedly the most disturbing book I've read!. I think Ellis was experimenting with a kind of Pavlovian conditioned response in the reader!. He often set up these very erotic scenes and then just as the reader is getting into them, he suddenly reverts to the most despicable imagery!. We studied it in my final year of an english lit major!.

As for your question, I don't think there is much doubt that Bateman killed Paul Owen!.Www@QuestionHome@Com