ufoparts's reviews
23 reviews

Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’m really glad this finally connected with me as an adult. Emptiness and sadness hang behind every word, and I don’t think I could’ve grasped the depth had I read it as a teenager constantly looking for depressing characters to attach myself to. 

The descriptions are brilliantly simplistic. The stretching freeways, hot desert air, and sandy trailer parks are relayed so vividly. The short and snappy chapter lengths work fantastically with the content matter. Certain scenes that would be otherwise unimpressionable amongst longer chapters instead hang heavy and deeply. I loved Play it as it Lays and I think my rating may go up if I re-read it. I’m gonna have to watch the film again too.

Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was my first time reading a book written in second person and I was surprised by how quickly I grew to love it. It really fits the fast paced, frenetic emotions and lifestyle of our protagonist.

I mostly knew what I was getting myself in for with Bright Lights, Big City because I’ve seen the film adaptation. The writing here easily excels the book further than the film. Although not outright likeable, I felt for the main character’s loneliness and alienation from the world around him. The parties and jaded characters are alike to those in Bret Easton Ellis’ novels. Yet because we’re privy to our lead’s emotions and backstory, we see a sadder side to him.

It ends in a slightly hopeful way, yet deliberately unresolved. Will our aspiring writer finally pull himself up by the bootstraps and make something of himself, or stay trapped in the self destructive cycle of his making? It’s up for us to imagine and decide.

Good Morning, Midnight by Jean Rhys

dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely loved this! Rhys pens a spellbinding stream-of-consciousness story here. The writing style is fantastic. I couldn’t tear myself away from the despondent life of the protagonist. I’m dying to read more of her books.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.0

My first venture into Joan Didion’s work turns out to be a success! I can see why such a cult has formed around her writing. She had a real mastery over the english language, wielding just the right words to capture hard to define emotions and experiences. A distinctly American collection of essays, some references to places or people flew over my English head, but nonetheless I loved reading this. The titular essay is undeniably the highlight, but Slouching Towards Bethelehem is full of gems. I’m looking forward to reading The White Album.

At Last by Edward St Aubyn

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

Easily my favourite of the five Patrick Melrose books. Edward St Aubyn concludes Patrick’s story with some of the funniest and most insightful remarks and moments of dialogue from the whole series. It’s a fantastically written book, and a wholly cathartic one - an exploration of how to move on from childhood trauma and abuse after numerous fuck ups. It’s a moving book and you can tell the journey of recovery from alcoholism and depression comes from a personal place.

Mother's Milk by Edward St Aubyn

challenging funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I think Mother’s Milk is the strongest of the Patrick Melrose books I’ve read so far. Much like Never Mind, it really feels like it encompasses the thoughts and feelings of an entire family. This time round though there’s more depth to it as each person grapples with the downward spiral of their relationships. Edward St. Aubyn digs deep into the thoughts of each character very well, creating a satisfying portrait of a dysfunctional family.

Patrick is at his most deplorable and horrific here, which is quite a feat considering the chaotic binge he goes on in Bad News. It’s interesting to read the self loathing he experiences in the wake of starting a family. The unresolved psychological issues and trauma from his past seem more rampant than ever, which ultimately sparks up a stint of alcoholism. Mary, his wife, also offers up a fascinating perspective as a woman who feels overwhelmed with responsibility and only finds comfort within her parental duties. We’re also treated to the thoughts of Patrick’s child Robert, which starts the book off. I see from a few reviews that this section is a bit love/hate. It’s wholly unique and not written in a childish dialogue, so I can see why it has put people off.

I’m interested to finally read At Last, the final instalment in this series. It’s been a joy to spent a lifetime with Patrick, warts and all.

Some Hope by Edward St Aubyn

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

After the wild ride of being trapped inside Patrick Melrose’s head in Bad News, it’s a real shame we’re not privy to his thoughts more often in Some Hope. The narrative of this book returns back to the one used in Never Mind, where it alternates between different characters. However, the genius of that book was how well it painted family trauma, addiction, and an outside look into that from all angles.

In Some Hope, there’s just a few too many character’s internal monologues Edward St. Aubyn is trying to balance. It’s unfortunate because I actually think this book has the most weight and depth to it out of the three Melrose books I’ve read so far. The scenes between Johnny and Patrick are incredibly moving. It also tackles sobriety in a refreshing way, relying neither on cheesy taglines nor an almighty love for god - just a perseverance.

It’s the scenes featuring Patrick in his headspace which make this book something special. The Bridget and Sonny drama, and the Princess Margaret funniness add some great colour to the proceedings, but I’d have trimmed a lot else. The beginning of the book is a bit of a slog, but the second half is really entertaining. It all culminates in an ending that is strangely beautiful, and yes, hopeful.

Bad News by Edward St Aubyn

dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Just like the first Patrick Melrose book, Bad News is full of really fantastic prose. The constant reeling between mania, depression, highs and lows allow Edward St Aubyn to indulge in some wonderful descriptions.

Bad News is a chaotic ride from start to finish. It’s a wild exploration of grief, loneliness, bitterness and existentialism through the eyes of a drug addled 22 year old. Ultimately nothing is resolved from Melrose’s New York binge, it’s just another weekend of self destruction and debauchery. Yet despite a lack of a character arc, it’s very entertaining and sad to read. The 2018 TV adaptation introduces some resolution with the final scenes, which I think this book could’ve done with. However, the way Bad News ends probably aligns far more with reality. It reminded me of the bleak mundanity of Brett Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero at times.

Never Mind by Edward St Aubyn

challenging dark funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’ve just recently finished the 2018 Patrick Melrose mini-series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I knew it was only right to read the books too.

I was surprised by how quickly I burned through this. Edward St Aubyn’s writing style is fantastic and so engrossing. He’s able to conjure up such life with his descriptions, in both enchanting and horrifying ways. This story is heartbreaking, even more-so knowing it’s semi-autobiographical.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the books.

Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

dark reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

An entertaining memoir purely due to how insane and frankly unbelievable the entire story is. Burroughs maintains that this book is entirely true, despite a court case from the family in question.

Despite being a wild ride from start to finish, it’s also very sad. I’m surprised to hear that such a dark story was turned into a comedy film. Running With Scissors is worth a read, but I’m not sure if it ever completely grabbed me like some memoirs do.