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sabla93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
frasersimons's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
While the gamut of each instalment is somewhat uneven, the macro story that comes together was near perfect, for me. Unlikable, sometimes abhorrent characters, biting wit and humour, tap into a surprisingly relatable human experience. It takes something extra, typically, for me to care at all about rich people, and this has “it”. All good fiction tends to be about many things, so much so that when people ask what it’s about, I tend to shrug and say Everything, because narrowing it diminishes it.
There’s a pleasant symmetry that comes together from first to last books as well. The ending fits what it is. It becomes more funny, somehow, despite it becoming more heartbreaking, as the vividness of which a particular character is drawn, and is one of the closest things to as vile a person as I could imagine. Fitting that he be in the 1% then, but not exclusionary to it, since everything that makes him terrible could be found in another man of another background, but there’s an extra dash of disgust when there’s a helping of privilege and lack of accountability.
Patrick too, has a surprisingly engaging arc, despite the matter-of-fact writing style that cuts and splays every character. No one is safe from the writer, least of all Patrick. The psychology behind their behaviour is tragic because the reader gains so much insight about them they will never achieve. The reality of a person is in so much of what their perception is by others, which is why a more solipsistic work centred on Patrick and company wouldn’t work.
There’s a pleasant symmetry that comes together from first to last books as well. The ending fits what it is. It becomes more funny, somehow, despite it becoming more heartbreaking, as the vividness of which a particular character is drawn, and is one of the closest things to as vile a person as I could imagine. Fitting that he be in the 1% then, but not exclusionary to it, since everything that makes him terrible could be found in another man of another background, but there’s an extra dash of disgust when there’s a helping of privilege and lack of accountability.
Patrick too, has a surprisingly engaging arc, despite the matter-of-fact writing style that cuts and splays every character. No one is safe from the writer, least of all Patrick. The psychology behind their behaviour is tragic because the reader gains so much insight about them they will never achieve. The reality of a person is in so much of what their perception is by others, which is why a more solipsistic work centred on Patrick and company wouldn’t work.
lerinewellington's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Very witty language. The monologues and the switches between characters are so well-fit that one doesn't notice. A lot of thought-provoking content. Very readable and enjoyable. I found it very good to read closely as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Incest, Drug abuse, Rape, Self harm, Child abuse, Classism, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault
phpatrickhiggins's review against another edition
5.0
This is like if Downton Abbey was soundtracked by The Weeknd
cooknick's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Addiction, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Classism
loaf_of_bread's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed reading the four parts of the Patrick Melrose series. While the four parts take place at different times in Patrick’s life and are very different in terms of plot, all are incredibly well written. I don’t think I can pick a favorite among them. Generally I’m not someone who reads multiple book series, but having them published together really adds to the sense of it being the story of Patrick’s entire life. While reading it, despite his flaws and troubles, I was always hoping that Patrick would be able to find internal peace.
If you are someone (like me) who tends to enjoy books written about wealthy people with few redeeming qualities, I would highly recommend. If not, you’ll probably find all of the characters to be insufferable.
Edward St. Aubyn’s writing is beautiful and I was constantly noticing sentences and paragraphs that were incredibly written, even though the subject matter is very dark. I was always looking forward to my next opportunity to pick up this book and have been thinking about it a lot since finishing it a few days ago. I am looking forward to reading the final installment of the series, At Last, soon.
If you are someone (like me) who tends to enjoy books written about wealthy people with few redeeming qualities, I would highly recommend. If not, you’ll probably find all of the characters to be insufferable.
Edward St. Aubyn’s writing is beautiful and I was constantly noticing sentences and paragraphs that were incredibly written, even though the subject matter is very dark. I was always looking forward to my next opportunity to pick up this book and have been thinking about it a lot since finishing it a few days ago. I am looking forward to reading the final installment of the series, At Last, soon.
lavenderlazarus's review against another edition
5.0
This was a tough book to read but also so very good. Although it deals with some difficult themes, reading it as a whole with all the novels together, I wouldn't call it a sad book. The writing is witty, there's interesting social commentary, and Patrick himself is a very compelling protagonist.
Apart from Mother's Milk which took place over different time periods, the rest of the books take place over just one day. I liked the pacing of it and how it managed to cover so much ground and show the perspectives of multiple characters without feeling too rushed.
Apart from Mother's Milk which took place over different time periods, the rest of the books take place over just one day. I liked the pacing of it and how it managed to cover so much ground and show the perspectives of multiple characters without feeling too rushed.
djflippy's review against another edition
4.0
Sid and Nancy meets American Psycho as experienced through the damaged eyes of an aristocrat. Beautifully sharp prose, witty, and penetrating.