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Original poster

Would you let your 15 1/2 year old read American Psycho?

89 replies

HardRockOwl · 26/08/2022 17:35

I can't work out if I've had a flash of inspiration or not.

My DS won't read a book. I supply one in his rucksack as they're required to have them for daily reading and all he does is doodle in it/ fold pages / categorically not read it

No matter what genre, he won't look at it.

He likes horror films and he's mentioned the film American psycho to me a few times - I've said no to watching it for now as it's an 18 but I'm also sure he's watched a few 18 rated films

Anyway - I suddenly thought 'I bet if I put American Pyscho on his bag, he'll actually start reading it as he will be curious!' And I think this will be the case

But is it weird? Will the teachers be concerned? (Hes going into year 11 and is 16 in December) I mean, it's practically a modern classic isn't it?

WWYD? I'm in two minds

OP posts:
JustFlying · 26/08/2022 17:46

I would. Unless he's a very troubled lad!

Lavendersparkles22 · 26/08/2022 17:45

It's fine. I'm an English teacher in Scotland so probably less uptight than my colleagues South of the border though. Remember the long rambling narrative off topic may disengage him if he's not an adept reader, he may not get the nuances of what this says about Patrick and bore him further!

Original poster
HardRockOwl · 26/08/2022 17:44

@Valhalla17 yeah I'm maybe trying to tell myself it's a modern classic. I'm veering towards no tbh

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Original poster
HardRockOwl · 26/08/2022 17:43

@ohsuzannah yes that's really good. His eyes will just glaze over the title though.

American Psycho would grab his attention, I just know it

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Valhalla17 · 26/08/2022 17:43

Well clearly its up to you/him. You've asked for an opinion. I think it's too much for his age given the guidance officially for this book is 18+. I've read it and I was a very advanced reader at a young age. It's not something I would ever pick up again...and I love horror, thrillers etc.

editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-bloody-banality-of-american-psycho/

ohsuzannah · 26/08/2022 17:42

Stephen King's Billy Summers is a great book!

Original poster
HardRockOwl · 26/08/2022 17:42

Maybe it's not a great idea. Hmm. I do know the content and - as he's coming up 16 - I know he's seen all sorts on bloody tik tok as we talk about it and I encourage him to think logically about the utter shit that's out there

So it won't scar him. I'd just be mortified to get a call home!

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Original poster
HardRockOwl · 26/08/2022 17:40

@Valhalla17 wouldn't read a Stephen king. It won't pique his interest at all

He just does not want to read. So I thought I'd bring out the big guns as he's been talking about American Psycho

OP posts:
Nellodee · 26/08/2022 17:39

Try The Diceman instead?

Original poster
HardRockOwl · 26/08/2022 17:39

I know the book is graphic. I read it years ago and Christ - the mace / rat scene will never leave me

BUT I don't think it's a safeguarding type trigger at his age is it? I'm approaching it from a ' I WILL find you something you will bloody read' angle and it is a bit of a classic isn't it?

OP posts:
weaselwords · 26/08/2022 17:38

It’ll scar him for life!

Valhalla17 · 26/08/2022 17:37

No because the book is even worse/more graphic than the film. I read it in my 20s and I found it hard to get it out of my head. Surely there are other books he can read....Stephen King stuff or something?

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 26/08/2022 17:37

Go for it! Sounds like a good idea to me. I’m a secondary teacher and I would just have a chat with a year 11 if I saw them reading it because I love chatting to the kids about books they’re reading. I wouldn’t think anything else of it.

wonderingwhatsnext · 26/08/2022 17:36

I'm not familiar with the book but at fifteen I encourage DD to read whatever she wants and then we discuss it.