He was not alone in his repulsion. Australian national censorship legislation still classifies American Psycho as ‘R18’, meaning it can be sold only to over-18s, and must be shrink-wrapped.

"I had no idea the novel would provoke the reception it’s gotten, and I still don’t quite get it . . . But then I was not trying to add members to my fan club. You do not write a novel for praise, or thinking of your audience. You write for yourself; you work out between you and your pen the things that intrigue you. During the years I worked on the book, I did not know how violent it would become. But it seemed clear to me that Bateman would describe these acts of brutality in the same numbing, excessive detail and flat tone that he recounts everything else—his clothing, his meals, his workouts at the gym. It seemed to me that he would not avoid telling the reader what he does when he murders people. For me, it was an aesthetic choice that made sense.

(Bret Easton Ellis Answers Critics of American Psycho’, New York Times, 6 March 1991)

2012-2015: Reevaluations
Scholars, literary critics, and readers engage in renewed discussions about the novel's themes, social commentary, and its place in American literature.

2016: Cultural Shift
A shift in public opinion and a broader acceptance of challenging and controversial literature leads to reconsideration of bans in several locations.

2017-2019: Bans Lifted
In some cities and countries, bans on "American Psycho" are lifted or relaxed, as authorities reevaluate their censorship policies in light of changing cultural attitudes.

2020-2023: Increased Availability
The novel becomes increasingly available in previously restricted areas as bans are lifted or modified. It remains a topic of debate and discussion but is now widely recognized as a work of literature rather than solely as a source of controversy.