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

[HardRockOwl]

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

Let him read it, In fact, maybe bribe? tell him if you read the book (and can tell me some stuff about it) you can watch the tv show. Could the not wanting to read thing be that hes bored with his choices or there just too simple? By 16 I was reading at a college level and completely bored with stuff for my age children.

Could you take this approach with other books / films?

So if he wants to see an 18 film he has to read the book first?

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

Now I disagree with this, reading is reading, it could be a book a comic, a graphic novel even a recipe book - it's all reading.

You might also consider kindle I'm dyslexic but I loved reading from being young, one of my friends who is also dyslexic found the kindle better because you can make the pages bigger so there are fewer words on a page.

He also found reading on his Nintendo DS easier, again smaller chunks to read.

I'm not saying your son is dyslexic, just saying what I have come across.

@AppleKatie Yes to that, and Game of Thrones.

@Lavendersparkles22
Are you one of the eejits that have messed up a once fantastic education system with your nationalist numptie crap? Honestly, as a fellow Scot, I'm cringing for you at comment you made .
OP , what about The Shining ???

my child is 13 and at this point I would let her read just about anything. I might read it too so we can discuss, but literature really is a good place to explore a variety of difficult concepts. It’s different then viewing disturbing videos or other imagery because the reader has to interpret the description. This allows a certain degree of distancing because the reader can decide how much they want to let their imagination ruminate on the descriptions. My own parents weren’t great, but one of their better qualities was giving me free access to their home library and encouraging me to explore our public branch.

I read this book as an adult and it's the only book I've actively decided to stop reading mid way through because I found it too disgusting. Personally, I wouldn't want my kids reading it until much older than 15 and I'm not sure I'd particularly want to encourage a love of reading books of that nature.

I'd allow it, I have read it a couple of times. I have a 15yo and I don't sensor things now. My 11yo reads Stephen King. Lots of GCSE set texts or media courses cover material that requires parental consent so might be considered unsuitable by some. I'd talk the him about the book if he wanted to debrief or debate.

Does it need to be fiction? If not, maybe something like these?

screenrant.com/must-read-books-horror-fans/amp/

If he likes horror films maybe he’d take an interest in reading around film making and behind the scenes stuff, or like a film guide?
There are lots of these types of books, you can check them out on Amazon as well.
But they can be quite big and bulky so maybe difficult to get in a school bag - I’ve got a huge behind the scenes of Harry Potter book, it’s basically one of those that most people just decorate their coffee tables with but I love reading it, it weighs more than a sack of potatoes 😄

No, I wouldn't want him reading it (especially because he'd be reading it for the wrong reasons!), but then again I'm aware that forbidden something may may it more attractive.

And, no, it's not considered a classic.

It's not considered a classic?

Sorry, but I think many would disagree.

American Psycho is one of the finest literary works to deal with consumerism, greed and personality identity.

It absolutely is a classic.

@Ponderingwindow If you were to read American Psycho (and I'm definitely not recommending you do) you would change your mind. There's no way you give it to your 13 year old daughter to read.

Large portions of it are extremely violent porn.

I think I probably had the same view as you until I read that book.

There's no way you give it to your 13 year old daughter to read.

13! Fuck no, what is wrong with people?
I think if someone said, ‘would it be ok to show my 13 year old some tame soft consensual porn?’ it would be a unanimous no… at least I hope so.
But a book with graphic and detailed sexual torture, sure why not as long as children are reading it’s a positive 😂

100% agree - nobody would say “my teen isn’t really into watching TV with the rest of the family any more, I’ve found 120 days of Sodom on YouTube, do you think that would tempt them?”

The idea that reading a graphic description of sexual torture doesn’t have as much impact as watching a film is completely wrong - things I’ve read stay with me far more than things I’ve watched, as I have the mental image in my head.

Just to address a few posts!

He isn't a young teen - he will be 16 in December

I do consider the book a modern classic

But - as I've said - on reflection it's going to be a no. I've ordered Pet Semetary on the off chance he will be intrigued!

There are a couple of moments I’ve read in books which have stayed with me in just the way you describe and I really wish I hadn’t read them - and I’m a 50 year old English teacher who has read hundreds of thousands of books (including American Psycho). If you think your 13 year old daughter is emotionally ready to read scenes of violent torture porn, ponderingwindow, then you have a very disturbing approach to parenting.