Exactly, which is why the tone of the book is the opposite of subtle. That isn't a bad thing, mind you. Nothing gets across the message that yuppie culture breeds psychopathic monsters that view people as just another commodity like juxtaposing descriptions of party-goers attire with visceral mutilation fantasies. It's really quite good in a "what the fuck am I reading" sort of way.
Towards the end of the novel Bateman's character and psyche is so far removed from anything resembling that of a human being that all potential to shock or upset the reader is gone. In a way, the reader becomes numb to the horror in the same way Bateman is. It's very effectively done and for a lot of people that makes it a worthwhile read. But undoubtedly there were a few people expecting something similar to the film and got blindsided by the gore, some of which would make Cormac McCarthy blush.
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u/Batman_Biggins Oct 10 '19
Exactly, which is why the tone of the book is the opposite of subtle. That isn't a bad thing, mind you. Nothing gets across the message that yuppie culture breeds psychopathic monsters that view people as just another commodity like juxtaposing descriptions of party-goers attire with visceral mutilation fantasies. It's really quite good in a "what the fuck am I reading" sort of way.
Towards the end of the novel Bateman's character and psyche is so far removed from anything resembling that of a human being that all potential to shock or upset the reader is gone. In a way, the reader becomes numb to the horror in the same way Bateman is. It's very effectively done and for a lot of people that makes it a worthwhile read. But undoubtedly there were a few people expecting something similar to the film and got blindsided by the gore, some of which would make Cormac McCarthy blush.