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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:
Dogsgottabone · 26/08/2022 19:04

I read it age 17 and I'm 44 now.

The rat scene stayed with me in the same way as some of the graphic scenes in the Underground Railroad.

I am a massive fan of encouraging children to read anything. But would I suggest it? No.

However if DC chose to read it I wouldn't stop them.

BeanieTeen · 26/08/2022 19:13

It’s tricky because obviously schools do have to push and promote reading for pleasure - for good reason to an extent, research does show that on the whole it has big benefits, especially in young children - but I think towards the end of secondary school they should just ease off with this a bit. Daily reading seems unnecessary and not a great use of time, especially if some kids do just get away with doodling in their reading books. Some people just don’t enjoy the process of reading a book, it’s not fast paced enough, and that should be ok and accepted. You don’t have to be an avid book reader to be a well rounded adult - and I say this as an avid book reader! You’ve done your best with this I think OP, I think when you’ve got to the point where you’re considering American Psycho you’ve definitely given it your all!

AdInfinitum12 · 26/08/2022 19:18

What about one of those choose your own adventure books? I'm sure there must be some suitable for older teens/adults. At the end of each chapter he has to make a decision, which then dictates what happens to his character and what chapter is read next.

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/08/2022 19:42

Sure. He will, as you say, probably read it, and there are good things about it. It’s very funny in parts.

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/08/2022 19:44

AdInfinitum12 · 26/08/2022 19:18

What about one of those choose your own adventure books? I'm sure there must be some suitable for older teens/adults. At the end of each chapter he has to make a decision, which then dictates what happens to his character and what chapter is read next.

@AdInfinitum12

Jesus Christ. He’s nearly 16, not eight and a half.

Rinatinabina · 26/08/2022 19:51

The passage by justin cronin, it’s not graphic in the way psycho is but it’s good and if he gets into it he’ll finish the trilogy - he’ll have read three books. It’s a good read.

Rinatinabina · 26/08/2022 19:53

“Mouth open story jump out” has stayed with me forever, I read that when I was about 8. Really good collection of myths that scared the shit out of me.

Thereisnolight · 26/08/2022 19:56

I read it at 19 - thought it was dull so fast forwarded to the torture scenes because of how notorious they were.

This is what your DS will do.
So it’s not really reading as such.

Thereisnolight · 26/08/2022 19:57

BeanieTeen · 26/08/2022 19:13

It’s tricky because obviously schools do have to push and promote reading for pleasure - for good reason to an extent, research does show that on the whole it has big benefits, especially in young children - but I think towards the end of secondary school they should just ease off with this a bit. Daily reading seems unnecessary and not a great use of time, especially if some kids do just get away with doodling in their reading books. Some people just don’t enjoy the process of reading a book, it’s not fast paced enough, and that should be ok and accepted. You don’t have to be an avid book reader to be a well rounded adult - and I say this as an avid book reader! You’ve done your best with this I think OP, I think when you’ve got to the point where you’re considering American Psycho you’ve definitely given it your all!

Agree.

CheeseplantJungle · 26/08/2022 19:58

I (skim) read American Psycho for a college based adult-ed evening class, and felt it was a totally inappropriate choice by the teacher. I don’t think of myself as excessively prudish but I once avoided sitting next to someone on the train as they were reading it. Personally I’d no more give it to a reluctant reader DC than I’d try teaching a non-verbal toddler swear words to interest them in speech.

Twiglets1 · 26/08/2022 19:59

Read it yourself first if you haven’t already. I did find it the most graphic book I’ve ever read and I’m not squeamish normally. I’m never normally shocked by stuff I read in books but this book was next level, honestly.

ignatiusjreilly · 26/08/2022 20:03

I would say definitely not. I read it in my 20s and still wish I hadn't. If it had been recommended to me by my mother, I'd never have been able to look at her again.

Have you read it recently? I'm wondering if you've forgotten how awful it is.

AdInfinitum12 · 26/08/2022 20:06

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/08/2022 19:44

@AdInfinitum12

Jesus Christ. He’s nearly 16, not eight and a half.

Show quote history

And if you try reading again you'll see I said there must be some for older teens/adults. There are certainly app games for adults with this as their entire premise, I don't see why there wouldn't be similar books for older teens. So maybe pipe the fuck down you snotty little cow :)

AdInfinitum12 · 26/08/2022 20:12

Such as "Infected" by James Schannep, a choose your own adventure book for adults where you're trying to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Cascais · 26/08/2022 20:16

Yes

JubileeTrifle · 26/08/2022 20:26

I read all this stuff when I was a similar age, and every Stephen king, Clive barker. Didn’t do me any harm.

user1494050295 · 26/08/2022 20:28

I read less than zero at 16. Then the rules of attraction and finally American psycho. They very loosely follow each other. The latter is disturbing but readable. I then went to my and we ended up going to the night club he references. The book was of it’s time (trump era in the 1980s).

gamerchick · 26/08/2022 20:32

I've no issue with books, we're at the mercy of the parameters of our own imagination with books. There is stuff that will just go over our heads if our brains haven't matured yet. Films you're at the mercy of someone else's imagination. It's different.

Original poster
HardRockOwl · 26/08/2022 21:09

@BeanieTeen ha yes - I've certainly given it all I've got! I don't enforce at home because how can I, but I always make sure he's got a book in his school bag as per the rules.

But yeah, when you think American psycho is the answer it's time to admit defeat!

I'll look up a few here and get one of those so thanks for the suggestions. He's not open to anything btw, simply not bothered and doesn't want to read a thing, hence me thinking for one stupid moment to was thinking boing outside of the box!

I admit it's been a few decades since I read it and although I'm very aware it's graphic, I'd not considered just how revolting it is and it's also pretty nuanced which will fly over his head and yep- he absolutely will just search for the gruesome bits. Didn't we all?

I think I'd allow it with some caveats and a discussion if he himself had suggested it as I do believe in reading whatever you want to read - provided it's an actual published book

Ah well - I tried!

OP posts:
Magnificentbeast · 26/08/2022 21:11

No. I read it years ago. It's horrible. Very graphic.

Magnificentbeast · 26/08/2022 21:12

Sorry. I see you've also read it already OP.

orbitalcrisis · 26/08/2022 21:29

I wouldn't with American Psycho, what about The Rats? James Herbert. My book hating teen loved it!

SorryButThatsAFact · 27/08/2022 21:57

The book, as fantastic as it is, is a LOT more graphic and detailed than the film. So if you're uncomfortable with him seeing the movie, you should definitely be uncomfortable with him reading the book.

But both are absolute modern classics.

AppleKatie · 27/08/2022 22:12

I don’t think it’s appropriate for school as an untaught text, too much for him to process in the classroom In 10min chunks. So he wont, he’ll just look up the horrible stuff and show it to his mates….which will draw the attention of a teacher (if you’re unlucky - a wide eyed 22 year old new teacher who will panic and raise it as a safeguarding concern).

Although, if he winds up in my class he’ll make a nice change from awkward conversations where I suggest 50 shades of grey would be best left for reading at home…. (Why are they all so surprised I’ve heard of it, that’s what I want to know… 😉)

Underanothersky · 28/08/2022 01:46

I wouldn't be introducing extreme misogynistic violence to my teenage son, no.