anastlesia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Incest, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism
frasersimons's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
All of these people are varying degrees of bad. From slightly narcissistic to irredeemable and vile. However, the strange, almost Pushing Daisies-esk quality to the narration. Spinning a yarn, but it’s biting and unwilling to let the characters off the hook. Which is good, considering what happens to Patrick Melrose in this book at the age of 5.
It won’t be for everyone. It’s traumatic, and looks to be teeing up Patrick’s future in a way that probably examines the trauma cycle. This is particular to my interests and the voice and prose is really well done, so it was for me, but I can see why probably most people wouldn’t be interested in it. I think it will only be more interesting when it moved past his childhood. We’ll see what happens.
It won’t be for everyone. It’s traumatic, and looks to be teeing up Patrick’s future in a way that probably examines the trauma cycle. This is particular to my interests and the voice and prose is really well done, so it was for me, but I can see why probably most people wouldn’t be interested in it. I think it will only be more interesting when it moved past his childhood. We’ll see what happens.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
ilereads's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Prima di iniziare questa saga sappiate che state per leggere la vita di personaggi odiosi e fastidiosi oltre misura, scritti con uno stile crudo e ironico e con trigger warnings giganteschi. Questo primo volume conta solo 150 pagine quindi non saprei davvero che valutazione dare, sembra più un racconto breve senza un vero finale. So solo che mi ha fatto venire voglia di proseguire subito. Consiglio anche la miniserie Patrick Melrose che e un ottimo adattamento.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
pineapplebun's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
Minor: Antisemitism and Homophobia
thebristolreader's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Racial slurs, and Rape
eltsuu's review
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, and Rape
n_t_sh_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
David Melrose is a sadist character comparable to Nurse Ratchet.
Staged over one day, this is a multi-layered character exploration that is interesting but with no likeable character, I find it hard to connect.
Along with the sadistic, dark undercurrent it has a biting, dry sense of humour. It causes a bark of laughter but it's a laugh tinged with bitterness and not enjoyable.
Staged over one day, this is a multi-layered character exploration that is interesting but with no likeable character, I find it hard to connect.
Along with the sadistic, dark undercurrent it has a biting, dry sense of humour. It causes a bark of laughter but it's a laugh tinged with bitterness and not enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction
gorgeousgirl's review
dark
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
theodrred's review
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Apparently I really enjoy cynical narrators. This reminds me a lot of Waugh's early work (i.e. Decline and Fall) which is a compliment, but the author also has major reactionary vibes so I am a little wary of whatever racism/homophobia/etc. I may encounter in continuing the series. We shall see. This is around a 3.5 because I feel it lost its pacing/direction towards the end but was still enjoyable, and handled its short length very well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Incest, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Antisemitism and Ableism
CSA/rape, specifically:Spoiler
A five year old is raped by his father. We get this scene from his perspective, and then later his father's perspective reflecting on what he did. There's also extensive discussion of him raping other women in the story
More...