Product guide

American Psycho (Vintage Contemporaries)

American Psycho (Vintage Contemporaries) is Bret Easton Ellis's novel about Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street professional in 1980s Manhattan whose violent double life is presented through dark satire and horror. The listing describes a 399-page English edition published by Vintage.

At a glance

Follows Patrick Bateman among young professionals in 1980s Manhattan, with satire and horror built around his public persona and violent private life.
The listing identifies this as an English-language, 399-page Vintage edition.

Price

$7.67Save 57%

Reference price: ~~$18.00~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The compact 399-page format brings together the novel in a single listed volume.
Customer feedback specifically praises the first-person voice, character development, and humor.

Cons

The novel's graphic violence and torture subject matter may be unsuitable for readers seeking lighter fiction.
Customer feedback describes the prose as tedious or difficult to follow, and the clothing descriptions as repetitive for some readers.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication
Publisher	Vintage
Publication date	March 1, 1991
Edition	First Edition
Language	English
Print length	399 pages
ISBN-10	0679735771
ISBN-13	978-0679735779

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	2.31 pounds
Dimensions	5.16 x 0.86 x 7.97 inches

What to know before buying

The description includes torture, murder, and graphic violence. Consider this content before choosing the book.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers interested in dark satire and horror set among 1980s Manhattan professionals.
Readers who enjoy first-person narration and are comfortable with graphic violence and potentially repetitive descriptive passages.

Less suited to

Readers seeking light or fast-moving fiction, or who prefer to avoid graphic violence and torture.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.3 / 5 · 15,295 ratings

5 stars62%62%
4 stars19%19%
3 stars11%11%
2 stars4%4%
1 star4%4%

Customer feedback praises the first-person voice, character development, and humor, including the comic effect of Bateman's inner monologue. Reactions to the plot and meticulous clothing descriptions are mixed, and some readers find the book tedious or difficult to follow. For readers drawn to the listing's dark satire and horror, the reported humor may be appealing, but the mixed comments on pace and readability suggest the style will not suit everyone.

Positive themes

Customers praise the first-person writing style and character development.
Customers mention the humor, including laughs prompted by the narrator's inner monologue.

Negative themes

Some customers find the book tedious and difficult to follow.
Some find the clothing descriptions repetitive and boring.

Mixed feedback

Plot engagement varies, with some finding it engaging and others saying little exciting happens.
Reactions to the level of detail range from appreciation of the meticulous clothing descriptions to finding them repetitive.

Frequently asked questions

What is American Psycho about?

The listing describes Patrick Bateman, a wealthy young Wall Street professional in 1980s Manhattan whose nights involve torture and murder. The novel is framed as satire and horror.

How long is this edition?

The listing gives a print length of 399 pages.

Is this a light read?

Probably not for readers seeking light fiction. The story includes graphic violence, and customer feedback is mixed on pacing and readability, with some finding the prose tedious or difficult to follow.