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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
An excellent and very cleverly written book- I often had to back up and re-read passages to understand and appreciate some of the wittier, smarter passages. Anyone, especially men, with young children, ageing parents, an imperfect (sexless) marriage or loss of family wealth will find many situations to identify with and insights into them. My only criticism is the rather hard to believe precociousness of the two kids, especially the younger one.
Struggled to get through the first five chapters, wondering if St Aubyn had veered off into magical realism, but came to the conclusion that instead of making Robert a precocious 12-year old, he probably wanted the sibling dynamic, and maybe couldn't see how the marriage would've kept together for that long. Maybe. It all picked up with Patrick's and Mary's chapters, and when we return to Robert he's 8, so it's a little less jarring (and his final chapter ends quietly, heartbreakingly).
I'm not sure why this one got the Booker nod, rather than the first or third book, which worked better, in my opinion, but the prose is still beautiful, of course.
I'm not sure why this one got the Booker nod, rather than the first or third book, which worked better, in my opinion, but the prose is still beautiful, of course.
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The fourth novel in the Patrick Melrose series, and a re-read - although I didn't remember it at all from before. And... I don't know. I did read this after In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut which I loved, so firstly, I did have a severe book hangover. But... what was it all about? Well, yes, mothers and whether they fuck you up. (I think St. Aubyn's answer is, they do.) There are fickle mothers, selfish mothers, unselfish mothers... none of them very believable. I put the book down with a groan. But then I make myself pick it up and if I forget this is supposed to be novel with a narrative, I fall again for how St. Aubyn makes Patrick think, what he thinks about, what his children (who are really babies) think about (surely purposefully unbelievable). And then there were thoughts about being a mother that I completely agreed with.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
It's such a relief to get away from some of the more self involved !moments to finally move on to the hopeful idea that there might be another generation. And life beyond various strategies of self abuse but them along with youth and time passing comes the acidity of man passing on misery to man. But as funny as the poet. As well.
Leave it to me, childless curmudgeon that I am, to have a hard time getting past the premise that Patrick Melrose would breed. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO SOME INNOCENT KID, P-MEL? LET ALONE TWO?
Liked getting away from P's POV now and then.
Liked getting away from P's POV now and then.
An excellent book, very well written - but thoroughly unlikeable characters.
The first half was some of the best writing I've read. The second half devolved a bit into drunken middle aged resentments but still maintained originality and humor.
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes