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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I read this as a standalone and it was okay. The main character wasn't present in about half of the book which is weird, and there was a huge cast of characters that made it hard to follow.
However, I feel as though if I had read the other two books in the series, all this would make more sense and I would have enjoyed it more.
Not a lemon, but not lemonade either. Sort of lemon juice.
However, I feel as though if I had read the other two books in the series, all this would make more sense and I would have enjoyed it more.
Not a lemon, but not lemonade either. Sort of lemon juice.
I'll write a review after I finish the series. These were great to keep me entertained during an awful plane ride.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Full of white rich people conversation that you might think would bring something to the table but not really. Pretty much just trainspotting if the characters were rich (with nothing much to say tbh)
Patrick makes a disclosure of his childhood abuse to his best friend, in a backdrop of a society gathering attended by Princess Margaret.
Most of the gathered luminaries at the parties are useless, empty-headed, arrogant twits. The book is witty, but often the with is St. Aubyn's, not the characters'. With few exceptions, the monied class is held up to ridicule.
The heartfelt kernels of these books concern Patrick Melrose himself, and I wish he appeared more frequently in these, the "Patrick Melrose Novels".
Most of the gathered luminaries at the parties are useless, empty-headed, arrogant twits. The book is witty, but often the with is St. Aubyn's, not the characters'. With few exceptions, the monied class is held up to ridicule.
The heartfelt kernels of these books concern Patrick Melrose himself, and I wish he appeared more frequently in these, the "Patrick Melrose Novels".
This did indeed give me some new found hope for Patrick! Love love love the dinner party traced through this novel - french ambassador gets some top class character points
I think Aubyn unfortunately overestimated readers' interest in characters besides Patrick
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After the wild ride of being trapped inside Patrick Melrose’s head in Bad News, it’s a real shame we’re not privy to his thoughts more often in Some Hope. The narrative of this book returns back to the one used in Never Mind, where it alternates between different characters. However, the genius of that book was how well it painted family trauma, addiction, and an outside look into that from all angles.
In Some Hope, there’s just a few too many character’s internal monologues Edward St. Aubyn is trying to balance. It’s unfortunate because I actually think this book has the most weight and depth to it out of the three Melrose books I’ve read so far. The scenes between Johnny and Patrick are incredibly moving. It also tackles sobriety in a refreshing way, relying neither on cheesy taglines nor an almighty love for god - just a perseverance.
It’s the scenes featuring Patrick in his headspace which make this book something special. The Bridget and Sonny drama, and the Princess Margaret funniness add some great colour to the proceedings, but I’d have trimmed a lot else. The beginning of the book is a bit of a slog, but the second half is really entertaining. It all culminates in an ending that is strangely beautiful, and yes, hopeful.
In Some Hope, there’s just a few too many character’s internal monologues Edward St. Aubyn is trying to balance. It’s unfortunate because I actually think this book has the most weight and depth to it out of the three Melrose books I’ve read so far. The scenes between Johnny and Patrick are incredibly moving. It also tackles sobriety in a refreshing way, relying neither on cheesy taglines nor an almighty love for god - just a perseverance.
It’s the scenes featuring Patrick in his headspace which make this book something special. The Bridget and Sonny drama, and the Princess Margaret funniness add some great colour to the proceedings, but I’d have trimmed a lot else. The beginning of the book is a bit of a slog, but the second half is really entertaining. It all culminates in an ending that is strangely beautiful, and yes, hopeful.
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes