Thursday, August 16, 2007
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Not for the faint-hearted, this is a very dark first-person narrative about a Wall Street broker in the late 80s. The protagonist, Patrick Bateman is the American Psycho of the title. The narrative is an unrelenting description of his almost unbearably superficial life, his obsession with brand names & designer fashion, trendy restaurants, and as the book goes on, his increasing mental disorder. The book details his sadistic fantasies, and the torture and murders he commits.
There were parts of the book that I couldn't bring myself to read.
Did I enjoy it? No, I don't think I did, but it was a very compelling book - I stuck with it because I needed to know what would happen - wanted him to get caught. The scariest aspect of it was that Patrick appears to the world to be an attractive & socially able character. When he confesses his crimes to an acquaintance he isn't believed. But underneath his suave persona, a madman plans pain & suffering.
I think I'll read something more cheerful next.
Not for the faint-hearted, this is a very dark first-person narrative about a Wall Street broker in the late 80s. The protagonist, Patrick Bateman is the American Psycho of the title. The narrative is an unrelenting description of his almost unbearably superficial life, his obsession with brand names & designer fashion, trendy restaurants, and as the book goes on, his increasing mental disorder. The book details his sadistic fantasies, and the torture and murders he commits.
There were parts of the book that I couldn't bring myself to read.
Did I enjoy it? No, I don't think I did, but it was a very compelling book - I stuck with it because I needed to know what would happen - wanted him to get caught. The scariest aspect of it was that Patrick appears to the world to be an attractive & socially able character. When he confesses his crimes to an acquaintance he isn't believed. But underneath his suave persona, a madman plans pain & suffering.
I think I'll read something more cheerful next.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
I loved this book. Fabulously inventive, and beautifully written - and so original.
The story follows 9 year old Oskar as he searches for clues to the lock that a special key will open. Oskar lost his father in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the book explores his grief, and looks at how we construct history and come to terms with tragedy. By examining the family history of Oskar's parents & grandparents, the writer considers the ways that we cope with the horrors of war, and how we manage relationships in the context of trauma.
A very moving book, highly recommended.
I loved this book. Fabulously inventive, and beautifully written - and so original.
The story follows 9 year old Oskar as he searches for clues to the lock that a special key will open. Oskar lost his father in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the book explores his grief, and looks at how we construct history and come to terms with tragedy. By examining the family history of Oskar's parents & grandparents, the writer considers the ways that we cope with the horrors of war, and how we manage relationships in the context of trauma.
A very moving book, highly recommended.
