Amid ongoing concerns over "inappropriate material," the Cobb County School District has recently made the decision to remove the controversial novel "American Psycho," authored by Bret Easton Ellis, from its libraries. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, speaking at a school board meeting, cited the book's "sexually explicit content" as the impetus for its removal. Ellis' work, first published in 1991, paints a dark satirical picture of a New York investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer.
According to a report by FOX 5 Atlanta, "American Psycho" is but one title in a series of 36 books to have been excised from library shelves over the past three years in the district. The superintendent has consistently defended the district's actions, stating they are "not engaging in book-banning or book-burning," but merely adhering to longstanding federal and state laws, and district policies. The book joins others that have been removed, including works that feature themes ranging from sexual violence to substance abuse.
Critics have voiced concern over the pattern of book removals, particularly noting the frequent targeting of literature that addresses minority and LGBTQ topics. In response to the civic backlash and a resultant civil rights complaint, Ragsdale besought his critics to "take a break," post the elections last November, as reported by East Cobb News.
The history of "American Psycho" has been fraught with contention since its inception, including organized boycotts by feminist groups and death threats against Ellis. It's worth noting that on the novel's 25th anniversary, Ellis revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that the story was born out of a personal place of "pain" and a critique on the "dandification of the American male." The novel has also earned a spot on the American Library Association's list of most banned books in the 90s. In some regions, like parts of Australia, the book was either banned completely or only sold to adults, must be concealed with wrapping paper over the cover due to its content.
