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
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
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