American Psycho is a novel written by Bret Easton Ellis, first published in 1991. The book is a satirical critique of the Wall Street culture of the 1980s, and it follows the life of Patrick Bateman, a young and successful investment banker in New York City. The novel is known for its graphic violence, sexual content, and dark humor, and it has become a cult classic in the years since its publication.
Chapter Summaries
1. Prologue – The narrator introduces himself as Patrick Bateman, a 26-year-old investment banker living in Manhattan. He describes his daily routine, which includes working long hours, exercising, and attending lavish parties. He also mentions his fascination with violence and his desire to be someone else.
2. Chapter 1 – Patrick meets with his colleagues for lunch at a fancy restaurant. They discuss business deals and gossip about each other. Later, Patrick goes to a strip club with his coworkers and becomes enraged when one of them tries to pick up a woman he was interested in.
3. Chapter 2 – Patrick goes on a date with a woman named Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up.
4. Chapter 3 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his coworker, Craig McDermott. He sees Craig’s fiancée, Elizabeth, and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she ignores him.
5. Chapter 4 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss a merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent.
6. Chapter 5 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
7. Chapter 6 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, David Van Patten. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.
8. Chapter 7 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss the merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent again.
9. Chapter 8 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
10. Chapter 9 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, Tim Price. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.
11. Chapter 10 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss the merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent again.
12. Chapter 11 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
13. Chapter 12 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, Tom Cruise. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.
14. Chapter 13 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss the merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent again.
15. Chapter 14 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
16. Chapter 15 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, Sean McCarthy. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.
17. Chapter 16 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss the merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent again.
18. Chapter 17 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
19. Chapter 18 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, Peter Bunford. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.
20. Chapter 19 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss the merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent again.
21. Chapter 20 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
22. Chapter 21 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, David Van Patten. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.
23. Chapter 22 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss the merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent again.
24. Chapter 23 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
25. Chapter 24 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, Tom Cruise. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.
26. Chapter 25 – Patrick goes to a business meeting with his boss, Paul O’Brien. They discuss the merger between their company and another firm. Later, Patrick goes to a club with his friends and sees Elizabeth dancing with another man. He becomes jealous and violent again.
27. Chapter 26 – Patrick goes on another date with Evelyn and takes her to a fancy restaurant. They have a terrible meal and end up arguing again. Patrick becomes physically abusive and beats her up again.
28. Chapter 27 – Patrick goes to a party at the apartment of his friend, Sean McCarthy. He sees Elizabeth again and becomes obsessed with her. He spends the rest of the night trying to get her attention, but she still ignores him.