I’m still reading American Psycho.  At this point in the book, I can safely say that it is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.  Not only is it intelligent, ironic, and satirical all at once, but it’s just really entertaining and absorbing.  Patrick Bateman is a character that you love to hate (or maybe the other way around, I’m not exactly sure) and whose behavior is so utterly depraved that it honestly is downright disturbing.  Not only is he a killer, he’s a pervert, a narcissist, a chauvinist, and basically an all-around @$$hole.  And yet, despite all that, Ellis writes him in such a fluid way that his huge charisma is carried off the page right at us, drawing us into Patrick’s web.  And while the book is dark and sadistic, it is punctuated by some genuinely funny moments, like when Patrick has an awkward run-in with Tom Cruise in a penthouse elevator.  These moments never seem out of place, however, as they are described through Patrick’s twisted perspective.  One of my favorite things that Ellis does with Bateman’s character is his frequent runaway trains of thought.  As Bateman is a truly uncaring individual, when someone will be speaking to him, Ellis will begin writing about something completely unrelated to show how Bateman’s attention has drifted elsewhere, be it cars, luxury suits, beautiful women, high-end restaurants, etc.  I’m not sure what more I can say about this book that I haven’t touched on already, but to clarify what really makes this book for me is the satirical, black-comedy-esque look at American 80s excess.  I’m a huge fan and supporter of the counter-culture movement, and this book reminds me of something from that movement.  It almost seems reminiscent of the works of Hunter S. Thompson (author of such renowned works as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas).  American Psycho is a book that doesn’t necessarily hate America, but it’s a book that sees America for what it is, and is not afraid to paint the picture of what it sees.  And let me tell you, this vision of America is not pretty.  And while the book is extremely graphic and explicit in all manner of ways, never once does it try to capitalize on it or sensationalize it, it is there for a reason rather than gratuitous fluff.  So often these days books, and in turn, authors, have so little to say, and so it’s extremely refreshing to find someone who has so much to say, perhaps too much to fit into one book. After I finish this novel, I will have to check out Ellis’s other work, as he is definitely a brilliant writer.  His understanding of character creation and establishment is unparalleled, as well as his understanding of how to connect with and absorb a reader and his overall knowledge and understanding of American culture.  If you dig great writing, counter-culture satire and aren’t easily offended or disturbed, I would highly recommend this book, it’s great.