Vile Bodies, Evelyn Waugh

It's odd to have read this so soon after reading American Psycho, because barring the serial murders, the books are very similar. Both are social critiques, even parodies, of a particular class of monied young people. In Waugh's book, the action centers on Adam Symes, alternately penniless and wealthy over the course of the book, and his equally alternate fiancee Nina Blount. A writer, Symes accepts with frightening aplomb the confiscation and destruction of his latest manuscript by customs officials, and the consequently back-breaking book deal his editors make him sign. Hopes destroyed, he can no longer marry, and becomes a gossip columnist. The similarities to American Psycho are striking -- both Symes and Bateman are relentlessly social animals, yet unable to remember who people are. Both have a fine eye for appearances (Bateman for clothes, Symes for hypocrisy). Waugh does with humor what Ellis did with horror.
Posted by supersusie at June 5, 2004 11:14 AM