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mikearhodes's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-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
3.5
Almost gave up several times in first 50 pages but the dark humour kept me going. It's a lot of horrible people being horrible to each other and to call the writing 'detached" would be an understatement so I never cared for, or understood anyone. It's well written on a line by line basis, short, and darkly humorous, but "So What?" Might have been a more apt title.
I'll give the 2nd book in the sequence a go at some point.
I'll give the 2nd book in the sequence a go at some point.
darcy512's review against another edition
3.0
I’m torn between 3 and 4 stars. It is a beautifully observant novel that manages to give each character an individual voice. But the characters are all so awful, outside of Patrick, that it wasn’t pleasant to read. I am sure that is the point as it is a formative part of Patrick’s childhood. I’m just not in a place where that made me interested in finishing it.
jessplayin's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. The writing in this book is good, but the characters are reprehensible. The depravity that is contained in the book makes it hard to get through at times. If you like dialogue and writing this might be worth the read but be prepared to cringe and feel terrible the whole time. Onwards to book 2
erickibler4's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first of the "Patrick Melrose novels", which is kind of a misnomer as to this one, since Patrick Melrose appears in only a few scenes. He 's a five year old child when we meet him, a scared kid subjected to horrifying cruelty by his monster of a father, David Melrose.
Most of this short novel concerns a dinner party given by tyrant David and his cowed, alcoholic wife, Eleanor. Also present are the intellectual Victor, his American girlfriend Anne, upper class Nicholas, and his young girlfriend Bridget. David rules the roost with his cruel wit. Victor and Nicholas try to keep up. Eleanor is paralyzed into inaction by David's control over her. Bridget is callow and bored. Anne is the only adult the reader can really empathize with.
St. Aubyn's concern seems to be depicting the decadent remnants of England's upper class, its members by marriage, and its hangers-on and wannabes. It's not a pretty picture. David, a member of this class, but who married Eleanor for her money, exemplifies its traits: cruel wit, a taste for gossip, and a certain nihilism.
The novel has one of those ambiguous, trailing-off endings that occur in a lot of literary novels, but knowing it's part of a sequence, and that Patrick's story will continue, will keep me reading. The main draw is St. Aubyn's flair for witty, savage repartee.
Most of this short novel concerns a dinner party given by tyrant David and his cowed, alcoholic wife, Eleanor. Also present are the intellectual Victor, his American girlfriend Anne, upper class Nicholas, and his young girlfriend Bridget. David rules the roost with his cruel wit. Victor and Nicholas try to keep up. Eleanor is paralyzed into inaction by David's control over her. Bridget is callow and bored. Anne is the only adult the reader can really empathize with.
St. Aubyn's concern seems to be depicting the decadent remnants of England's upper class, its members by marriage, and its hangers-on and wannabes. It's not a pretty picture. David, a member of this class, but who married Eleanor for her money, exemplifies its traits: cruel wit, a taste for gossip, and a certain nihilism.
The novel has one of those ambiguous, trailing-off endings that occur in a lot of literary novels, but knowing it's part of a sequence, and that Patrick's story will continue, will keep me reading. The main draw is St. Aubyn's flair for witty, savage repartee.
deanjksmith's review against another edition
5.0
"Nobody can find me here, he thought. And then he thought, what if nobody can find me here?"
There isn't a single character - Patrick excluded - in this book who is redeemable. They are vapid, and unemotional, and narcissistic, and seemingly incapable of doing one nice thing without immediately sullying it afterwards.
But did I struggle to put this book down? Absolutely I did.
I'm so in love with the way that Edward St. Aubyn writes that I powered my way through this book, picking it up whenever I had a spare moment to do so. And, admittedly, I found myself staying up a little later than I probably should have done in order to read more.
I know that this book series is going to destroy me emotionally - I've seen the TV adaptation and it made me cry like a baby - and I have to admit, I'm excited to take this journey. It's been a while since a book series has gotten to me in this kind of way.
There isn't a single character - Patrick excluded - in this book who is redeemable. They are vapid, and unemotional, and narcissistic, and seemingly incapable of doing one nice thing without immediately sullying it afterwards.
But did I struggle to put this book down? Absolutely I did.
I'm so in love with the way that Edward St. Aubyn writes that I powered my way through this book, picking it up whenever I had a spare moment to do so. And, admittedly, I found myself staying up a little later than I probably should have done in order to read more.
I know that this book series is going to destroy me emotionally - I've seen the TV adaptation and it made me cry like a baby - and I have to admit, I'm excited to take this journey. It's been a while since a book series has gotten to me in this kind of way.
papernapkin's review against another edition
4.0
This is basically Lord of the Flies set in Provence, and no rescue is coming. Stellar writing, but ghastly content -- mercifully it's a novella. I won't be reading the rest in the series, but if you like this sort of thing, it's absolutely worth reading.
thayawar's review against another edition
4.0
My second attempt at reading this and had to skip through the triggering bit lol was an epic ride though the characters are mad !! Gulped it down
david_haine's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0