Books
by Edward St. Aubyn
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The Complete Patrick Melrose Novels |
A monumental volume of 5 books that take us into the life of Patrick Melrose. Edward St Aubyn's writing is startlingly brilliant, crisp and deeply human. The first book in the series Never Mind is unlike the four others as it centres on the indulgent life of Patrick's aristocratic father and wealthy American mother and their friends. It is in their South of France family villa where we meet Patrick as a young boy. As he scrambles around this idyllic landscape we slowly discover that the unsettling feeling that creeps through the pages is in fact his father darkly looming over his innocence. This semi-autobiographical novel is of abuse and neglect.We take a leap in the second novel Bad News as Patrick is now a young man who numbs his childhood pain with alcohol and a cornucopia of drugs. I was enthralled by all of the books in the series though felt this second one was his finest. St Aubyn's description of the drug fuelled scenes are, at times, hilarious, and at others deeply sad. The three books to follow, Some Hope, Mother's Milk and At Last take us through Patrick's journey of addiction, philandering and ultimately on a path to recovery. Beneath the snobbery and cutting remarks is a wounded child trying to make sense of it all. I was so entranced by the character Patrick Melrose that I kept putting off reading the final pages. I didn't want to let this character go!While it is a profoundly disturbing subject, St Aubyn delivers dark humour at its finest. Patrick is quick-witted and achingly funny. The books have been made into a television series with Benedict Cumberbatch playing Patrick Melrose. I expect Cumberbatch will do a sterling job though I would encourage anyone to read the books before watching it on the box. It is just too good.
Editor's Note: The Sky TV series is now out on DVD - and yes Cumberbatch is perfect casting.
(Claire Bane - bwl 89 Summer 2018) |
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