American Psycho
“American Psycho” was written by Bret Easton Ellis and released in 1991. The book was met with controversy due to its graphic depictions of violence, sexual abuse and blatant misogyny.
Despite being caught in bountiful controversy, the book serves as an incredibly compelling satirical depiction of acute toxic masculinity and the intense misogyny that it breeds.
“American Psycho” is written in the first-person perspective of Patrick Bateman, who works as a successful stockbroker living in New York City. The reader is thrust into the mind of Patrick Bateman, getting to observe every disgusting thought and action.
Bateman is merely an idea. He does not exist like regular members of society. His personality, looks, interests, hobbies and lifevstyle are all carefully manicured to appear as regular and sociable as possible. The true Bateman is only seen during his acts of intense violence.
In a letter to the New York Times in 1991, acclaimed American author Otto Friedrich wrote, “I think that this repulsive novel will contribute to the violence that afflicts our society, and that it will disgrace everyone who tries to profit from it.”
Ellis also received death threats after the release of the novel due to its highly inappropriate content.
“American Psycho” finds itself consistently placed on banned books lists. It also received a R18 classification in Australia, meaning the book can only be sold to patrons over 18, and comes with plastic shrink wrap.
Trigger Warning: gore, sexual violence, substance abuse.– O.C.
A clockwork orange
“A Clockwork Orange” was banned in 23 school districts across the United States making it the most banned book of the 2024-2025 school year, according to the nonprofit PEN America. The novel was targeted for its challenging themes and provocative ideas but specifically banned for its graphic sexual content.
“A Clockwork Orange” was published in 1962 and follows gang leader Alex as he travels through a dystopian England leaving chaos in his wake. Eventually he ends up in state-sponsored psychological rehabilitation due to his nightmarish list of offenses. The novel is first-person, written with futuristic slang vocabulary invented by Burgess that was partly adapted from Russian words.
There are two different versions of the novel, one published in the United States before 1986 and one in Britain. The original version, which was released in Britain, contains a final chapter not found in the initial United States release.
This is a story of transgression; youthful rebellion and humanity, told through the eyes of a criminal as he learns about good, evil and freedom.
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, graphic violence, substance abuse, torture. – P.D.
Perks of being a wallflower
“Perks of Being a Wallflower” was written by Stephen Chobsky and published in 1999. It was banned and challenged after its release with raising concerns regarding the book being sexually explicit and having queer content while mentioning rape, drugs and profanity. Despite the backlash, it received numerous accolades after its publication.
The novel is told through first person letters the main character, Charles “Charlie” Kelmeckis, writes to chronicle his experience growing up in high school. The intimate world of Charlie is explored in mixtapes, his love of “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” family drama and new friends. He is caught between living his life and running from it, slowly learning how to navigate it.
Chobsky’s debut novel was adapted into a major motion picture, written and directed by the author, starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson released 2012.
It’s a deeply emotional and raw coming of age story. It highlights the growing pains of adolescence, dealing with devastating loss, trauma and living life on the fringes.
Trigger warnings: abuse, substance abuse, pedophilia, sexual assault, suicide. – P.D.
