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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
tense
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The best of the three novels I've read pertaining to this character. Novel one deals with abuse, novel two with addiction, and while this one doesn't have the same shocking events, it ultimately is better. There are many funny conversations and comments amongst the elite here.
Redemption! Brilliant, quotable dialogue returns, boring drug stuff begone. (It's almost like dealing with the Star Wars movies; we'll just appreciate the ones we love, and kindly gloss over the awful ones.) Again, batches of lines I want to remember.
I'm actually somewhat astonished that no one has filmed this yet (yoo-hoo, Julian Fellowes...). It'd be so simple, since most of the dialogue is already written. There's a steady build-up, re-connecting with characters, and then the final set piece of the grand party. Ta-da.
I'm actually somewhat astonished that no one has filmed this yet (yoo-hoo, Julian Fellowes...). It'd be so simple, since most of the dialogue is already written. There's a steady build-up, re-connecting with characters, and then the final set piece of the grand party. Ta-da.
I really don't think we need to be reading books about the landed english gentry in this day and age, but it was dark, biting, and funny. Good summer read.
Not quite as good as the first two books but it's still very, very good especially towards the end.
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this one, though not as much as Bad News. This was more of an update on everyone around Patrick's lives, not on Patrick himself. Would have liked to have seen more of him getting clean and sober, and more on his journey of moving on from his father's abuse. But, on the whole, rather enjoyable, if a little weird in places.
In many ways, the 3rd Patrick Melrose book is a return to the form of the first. Once again, we follow the intolerable rich gentry of England through their preparations for a gathering and into the party itself. Some characters return (Bridget, hooray; Nicholas, ugh) but we do get to actually explore Patrick now that he is sober and trying to figure out what to do with himself when drugs don't fill his days.
This is still a darkly hilarious book, if not quite as packed with witticisms as the first. You dislike virtually everyone in it almost immediately, even the extended cameo from Princess Margaret, who would be absolutely delicious if she didn't think so highly of herself.
But we finally start getting down to it here. There is no active trauma taking place, finally. We can sit for a bit and get a hold of ourselves. In this novel, Patrick finally confesses his father's sexual assault against him as part of a search for catharsis and possibly even forgiveness. He is haunted by his father, his hatred of his father, and of the possibility that his father may have shown some signs of goodness. Patrick is the most likable character in the book in many ways, though there are at least a few you don't utterly despise this time.
I was a bit nervous after the harrowing events of the first book and the extended drug abuse of the second, but I think we may finally be settling down to what St. Aubyn is really about and I'm curious for the rest of the series.
This is still a darkly hilarious book, if not quite as packed with witticisms as the first. You dislike virtually everyone in it almost immediately, even the extended cameo from Princess Margaret, who would be absolutely delicious if she didn't think so highly of herself.
But we finally start getting down to it here. There is no active trauma taking place, finally. We can sit for a bit and get a hold of ourselves. In this novel, Patrick finally confesses his father's sexual assault against him as part of a search for catharsis and possibly even forgiveness. He is haunted by his father, his hatred of his father, and of the possibility that his father may have shown some signs of goodness. Patrick is the most likable character in the book in many ways, though there are at least a few you don't utterly despise this time.
I was a bit nervous after the harrowing events of the first book and the extended drug abuse of the second, but I think we may finally be settling down to what St. Aubyn is really about and I'm curious for the rest of the series.
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My favourite of the series so far!
The writing is beautiful, though I did sometimes find myself needing to reread passages to fully grasp all of the metaphors and similes.
We also jumped between a lot of different characters and I struggled to keep track of them all — not only within this book, but across the first two books as well.
My gosh — if this cast of characters aren't the most odious I've ever read about! And I shudder to think that people like this actually exist in the world. 😩
The writing is beautiful, though I did sometimes find myself needing to reread passages to fully grasp all of the metaphors and similes.
We also jumped between a lot of different characters and I struggled to keep track of them all — not only within this book, but across the first two books as well.
My gosh — if this cast of characters aren't the most odious I've ever read about! And I shudder to think that people like this actually exist in the world. 😩