A review by madfoot
The Patrick Melrose Novels by Edward St. Aubyn

4.0

The first book is unbearable to read, but you have to, because it explains the other books. Just be forewarned, as I was blindsided and had to text the friend who had recommended it and go "WHAT THE EFF" and she was like "oops yeah sorry but once you get through that it's off to the races." It's not exactly off to the races, but I can see why she loves it - she is a psychiatrist and this is an absolute study, in roman-a-clef form, of how psychology and psychiatry can help provide an end to generational trauma.

So that makes it sound really dull, but it's not. It's true that I got super tired of hearing about the tribulations of the uber-wealthy, but slowly, ever so slowly, the cycle of stories grinds the most obnoxious characters to dust and provides redemption for characters who work for it. The author makes his best effort to be cynical, but in the end he provides such heartfelt comic relief and moments of sweetness that betray tremendous charm and make it all worth it.

Also worth it? Startling moments of beautiful description. Not on every page, but once in a while I would have to stop and roll back to hear a particularly lovely turn of phrase. So okay, he might be forgiven for all the making fun of New York and American accents.