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mrs_bonaventure's review
5.0
At last indeed. Not necessarily as dazzling as some of its predecessors, but realistically satisfying. The references to psychology and philosophy are as deep as the literary ones and help to turn Patrick's character fully inside out, to him and the reader simultaneously. From the beginning of the series I had wanted to see Patrick finally swim instead of sinking (which recalls the horror of one early formative experience) and by the end, his experience dissipates at last into something approaching the ordinary. A quiet victory.
b0hemian_graham's review against another edition
5.0
so yea, it's now about 2 hours before I have to get up for work, and it's going to be a long day, but the lack of sleep is worth it, as St Aubyn just could not be put down. Will write a proper review of all 5 once I get proper sleep. Too hyped up from Patrick Melrose to sleep or write coherently.
cmgreen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sisterofdemons's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
frasersimons's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wasn’t quite sure how this could end satisfyingly, but I actually thought this came together rather perfectly, ending on its own terms. I always like contradictory characters best, and as we see in plain terms here, all of the characters we met were. Patrick’s feelings regarding them more so, which is to be expected at funerals. Dredging up the past presents the possibility of symmetry for the story too, allowing for catharsis, or the denial of it.
Perhaps surprisingly, I found this to be the most laugh-out-loud instalment as well. I’ve always found the biting humour in the previous ones as something that would make me smile, but I found myself chuckling at the grocery store, listening to the excellent audiobook of this (the narrator sounds so much stylistically like the one of Pushing Daisies I couldn’t help but feel some cross connection).
Perhaps surprisingly, I found this to be the most laugh-out-loud instalment as well. I’ve always found the biting humour in the previous ones as something that would make me smile, but I found myself chuckling at the grocery store, listening to the excellent audiobook of this (the narrator sounds so much stylistically like the one of Pushing Daisies I couldn’t help but feel some cross connection).
kenziestevenson's review against another edition
5.0
Read it in two sittings. The perfect ending to Patrick’s story, finally able to find peace and accept that what his parents did was completely wrong while simultaneously having compassion for how they became who they were. Totally enjoyed re-reading the series, and I was a little bit sad when it ended and I knew I wouldn’t get to spend time inside Patrick’s hilariously cynical perspective anymore. I guess I’ll just have to re-read again next year :)
zebac's review against another edition
4.0
I know some people found this final instalment of the Melrose novels somewhat slow and painful, but I actually found it one of the funniest of the five books and the most hopeful.