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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
So well written, I didnt imagine the cruelty that happened later on. What was interesting was seeing the events from the prespective of each character and how they justify their acts to themselves. cant wait to read book 2
Did I like this? Did I hate it? I certainly hated David. This is an extremely smart book (I was impressed by the meta-fictional usage of irony) about monstrous people and abuse. I did some cursory poking around and was saddened to hear that the Patrick Melrose novels were based on St. Aubyn's own life.
I think St. Aubyn handles the trauma very carefully and precisely (clean, pared-down, articulate prose style) and thankfully never crosses into vulgarity for vulgarity's sake, but it doesn't make the book any less disturbing. It's not for the faint of heart. I mean, I knew that I was going to be reading a satirical novel about coked up rich people, but I was not prepared for the vertical drop into absolute horror.
I think St. Aubyn handles the trauma very carefully and precisely (clean, pared-down, articulate prose style) and thankfully never crosses into vulgarity for vulgarity's sake, but it doesn't make the book any less disturbing. It's not for the faint of heart. I mean, I knew that I was going to be reading a satirical novel about coked up rich people, but I was not prepared for the vertical drop into absolute horror.
Ooou nahs-teee.
Witty, skilful writing. Merciless skewering of pathetic specimens onto a dissection board. Sometimes felt like looking through the malicious eyes of the only sober person at a drunken party and sometimes felt like Wodehouse on domestic abuse.
I look forward to reading some more St Aubyn when I've recovered from the malice binge.
Witty, skilful writing. Merciless skewering of pathetic specimens onto a dissection board. Sometimes felt like looking through the malicious eyes of the only sober person at a drunken party and sometimes felt like Wodehouse on domestic abuse.
I look forward to reading some more St Aubyn when I've recovered from the malice binge.
Like the dexedrine-addled love-child of P.G. Wodehouse and Michael Haneke.
The iron fist in the velvet glove in novel form. Brilliant razor sharp repartee cloaking hideous people saying, doing or ignoring unspeakable things. This is a book of relationships that are ironic in the traditional sense of the word -- the polar opposite of what they should be, but minus anything leading to amusement. I know this is an autobiographical novel, and that breaks my heart. I have the next in the series sitting beside me, but I think I need a break first.
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape
What a bunch of miserable bloody people. I was definitely not in the right headspace for that. I'm switching to lighter fare for the next while.
Wouldn't mind finding out what happens with Patrick -- I think there are at least 3 more books in the series -- but not if I have to deal with these other people, my god.
Wouldn't mind finding out what happens with Patrick -- I think there are at least 3 more books in the series -- but not if I have to deal with these other people, my god.