Ellis writes a semi-autobiographical fictional horror story for the most part taking place manly within in a short span of months complete with a made up wife and family. Prior novels play into the mainframe of the novel, especially _American Psycho_.
A lot of scares, creeps, mysteries, and swerves and nothing I was expecting going into this book, but satisfying enough.

Bret Easton Ellis is an amazing writer. This is a haunted house story in the classical tradition dragged into the Twenty-First Century. It's superb, right up there with House of Leaves, maybe even surpassing because of the inclusion of the deeper themes of family and regret. Some parts are incredibly creepy as well. It's hard to believe it's over 10 years old - it's completely relevant and urgent.

Listening to James Van Der Beek read this was AWESOME. He fit the flat affect of the narrator so well. This will have spoilers, I'm sure.

The first chapter of this book, deconstructing all of Bret Easton Ellis's previous first sentences and relaying a mock-autobiographical set-up for the novel, was GENIUS. Nothing could live up to that for the rest of the book.

In general, I enjoyed the story. The flat affect of the reading and the selfishness of the narrator made me doubt his sincerity in trying to create a loving, connected family. He seemed much more interested in drugs, drinking, and trying to bed that graduate student. So when the plot hinges on the establishment of family and some of the suspense relies on believing this guy that he cares about his kid--that was hard to swallow. I find it hard to believe that BEE the narrator or the person believes that "connection" is the most important thing in life, in spite of the implications of the novel and the interview at the end of the last CD.

I guess just because you start caring too late doesn't mean that you're not devastated when things don't work out. The end with the ashes swirling and the nostalgia for slip-and-slides and the things of childhood rang false to me. After setting up what a rough childhood he'd had and how much his dad had damaged him, it seemed odd for him to re-read that as a happy time, full of nice, bright toys and fun trips. But, I think if I read this as him learning to have compassion for his father in the face of having his own son, I understand better--all those gaps in communication, the resentment, the mutual discomfort. It's hard to stay angry at someone when you finally understand that they were just doing their best, even if their best wasn't good enough.

Not sure I really understand the relationship between the demon, the house, the dad/ghost, the terby, Clayton/Robbie/Bret, Patrick Bateman, and Robbie's disappearance. A complicated web that does not necessarily cohere. I guess some forces were working for the narrator, some against. I thought the disappearing boys part was very interesting and unique, and I wanted to know the details on that. But that's kind of the point: we, who are left on this side, don't get to know.

4.0 Stars
This was such an unsettling piece of horror. I really enjoyed the meta aspect to this story that blurred the line between fiction and fact. The protagonist is one of the most unlikable characters I have ever read. This is clearly done on purpose, but be aware if that's an issue for you. I recommend reading American Psycho before this one, but it's more a companion novel than a straight up sequel. Overall I really enjoyed this one and I would strongly recommend it.