The novel was banned or restricted in several countries, such as Australia, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand. The novel also sparked protests, boycotts, and petitions from feminist organizations, anti-violence activists, and religious groups, who demanded that the novel be withdrawn from the market. Some of the novel’s critics included Gloria Steinem, Norman Mailer, Naomi Wolf, and Fay Weldon.
The novel also received some positive reviews and praise from other critics and writers, who defended it as a brilliant and original work of art, a powerful and provocative satire, and a daring and insightful commentary on the society and culture of the 1980s. Some of the novel’s supporters included Martin Amis, Jay McInerney, Camille Paglia, and David Foster Wallace.
Heading 4: Legacy of American Psycho and Bret Easton Ellis
Despite the controversy and criticism, American Psycho became a cult classic and a bestseller, selling over a million copies worldwide. The novel also influenced and inspired many other works of literature, film, music, and art, such as Fight Club, The Silence of the Lambs, Dexter, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Social Network.
The novel was adapted into a film in 2000, directed by Mary Harron and starring Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman. The film was also controversial, but received generally favorable reviews from critics and audiences, and became a cult hit.
The film also featured performances by Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, and Chloe Sevigny. The novel was also adapted into a musical in 2013, with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. The musical premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London, and later transferred to Broadway in 2016.
The musical received mixed reviews, but was praised for its score, its design, and its performances, especially by Benjamin Walker as Patrick Bateman. Bret Easton Ellis continued to write and publish more novels, such as The Informers, Glamorama, Lunar Park, and Imperial Bedrooms. He also wrote screenplays, such as The Canyons and The Deleted.