American Psycho is a novel by American writer Bret Easton Ellis, published in 1991. The story is told in the first-person by Patrick Bateman, a wealthy, narcissistic, vain Manhattan investment banker who supposedly lives a double life as a serial killer.

American Psycho Book Quotes

1. “There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable… I simply am not there.”

2. “I’m into, oh, murders and executions, mostly. It depends.”

3. “Is evil something you are? Or is it something you do?”

4. “I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust.”

5. “My pain is constant and sharp and I do not hope for a better world for anyone. In fact, I want my pain to be inflicted on others. I want no one to escape.”

6. “I simply am not there.”

7. “I’m on the verge of tears by the time we arrive at Espace, since I’m positive we won’t have a decent table… When we walk in, my fears are confirmed. The place is empty except for two customers.”

8. “There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory.”

9. “There is no catharsis. I gain no deeper knowledge about myself, no new understanding can be extracted from my telling. There has been no reason for me to tell you any of this. This confession has meant nothing.”

10. “This is not an exit.”

11. “I’m trying to listen to the fucking solo!”

12. “There are no more barriers to cross. All I have in common with the uncontrollable and the insane, the vicious and the evil, all the mayhem I have caused and my utter indifference toward it I have now surpassed.”

13. “I like to dissect girls. Did you know I’m utterly insane?”

14. “I just want to fit in.”

15. “The knife is clean. You won’t feel a thing.”

16. “I’m not here.”

17. “There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman, some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me, only an entity, something illusory, and though I can hide my cold gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable: I simply am not there.”

18. “I can’t believe someone would do this! I’m so sickened.”

19. “I’m not sure I like this kind of thing.”

20. “Tonight Matthew, I’m just a fucked-up girl who’s lookin’ for my own peace of mind; don’t assign me yours.”

21. “I just want to have a meaningful relationship with someone special.”

22. “I am what I do in the dark now.”

23. “I like to dice at girls. Did you know I’m utterly insane?”

24. “I just want to fit in.”

25. “I’m simply not there.”