American Psycho (conceptual novel)

American Psycho is a 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, categorized as a conceptual novel due to its focus on exploring complex themes through extreme violence, satire, and unreliable narration, rather than adhering to traditional narrative structures. While often labelled as horror or psychological thriller, its conceptual nature stems from its deliberate use of excessive detail, repetitive descriptions, and a protagonist, Patrick Bateman, whose sanity and perceptions are consistently questioned.

The novel functions as a social critique, examining the superficiality and materialism of 1980s Wall Street culture. Bateman's obsession with wealth, status symbols, and physical appearance serves as a distorted reflection of societal values. The graphic violence, often bordering on the absurd, is interpreted as a symbolic representation of the dehumanizing effects of consumerism and societal indifference.

Central to the conceptual element is the ambiguity surrounding Bateman's actions. The reader is never definitively told whether his violent acts are real or imagined, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. This ambiguity challenges the reader to question the nature of truth and perception, further solidifying its categorization as a conceptual work. The novel's open ending, where Bateman seemingly faces no consequences, reinforces the idea that his "confession" may be another fabrication or delusion, highlighting the themes of moral decay and the failure of societal structures.

Therefore, the "conceptual novel" descriptor arises from the novel's intention to provoke thought and challenge conventional literary norms through its unconventional narrative structure, thematic exploration, and reliance on ambiguity and satire, rather than simply telling a straightforward story.