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A review by jgn
The Patrick Melrose Novels by Edward St Aubyn
4.0
It's true. The writing is great. If you've been wanting something undeniably English this is it.
Having said that, this is the most misanthropic reading I've done in a long time.
The first novel, Never Mind: I had to read some pages twice because the bile was so nasty I couldn't believe what I was reading. And it was what I thought it was. An incredible work, but . . . "depressing" doesn't do it justice.
The second novel, Bad News, was a pretty typical drug and debauchery novel, but done with panache.
The real masterpiece here is the third one, Some Hope, which is essentially St. Aubyn's take on the "country house novel" where many characters are assembled at a party in the country, and events ensue. It was brilliant, and satisfied the promise of the first two novels.
The 4th novel, Mother's Milk, was rather "meh" for me, but i am guess it sets up the 5th and final novel, which I have yet to read.
In sum: You have to have some appreciation for the general theme of the English upper crust in serious decline. If that interests you, then this is a must read. It's also a must for anyone who wants to see the psychology of a seriously abused person grow up and become an adult.
Having said that, this is the most misanthropic reading I've done in a long time.
The first novel, Never Mind: I had to read some pages twice because the bile was so nasty I couldn't believe what I was reading. And it was what I thought it was. An incredible work, but . . . "depressing" doesn't do it justice.
The second novel, Bad News, was a pretty typical drug and debauchery novel, but done with panache.
The real masterpiece here is the third one, Some Hope, which is essentially St. Aubyn's take on the "country house novel" where many characters are assembled at a party in the country, and events ensue. It was brilliant, and satisfied the promise of the first two novels.
The 4th novel, Mother's Milk, was rather "meh" for me, but i am guess it sets up the 5th and final novel, which I have yet to read.
In sum: You have to have some appreciation for the general theme of the English upper crust in serious decline. If that interests you, then this is a must read. It's also a must for anyone who wants to see the psychology of a seriously abused person grow up and become an adult.