Recent Reading: The Patrick Melrose Novels by Edward St. Aubyn

 

Today I finished Edward St. Aubyn's Patrick Melrose Novels. This includes four books: Never Mind, Bade News (my personal favorite), Some Hope, and Mother's Milk. There is also a fifth Patrick Melrose book called At Last which I have not read yet.

The books are about a fictional character named Patrick Melrose who is based, in large part, on the author. The books describe a childhood with sexual abuse as well as Melrose's serious problems with cocaine and heroin (among other substances), so these books are definitely not for everyone. But I think that St. Aubyn has a remarkable gift for describing the British upper class as well as seeing the humor in the world around Melrose. In addition, there is definitely a sense of redemption in the book. I especially enjoyed the language the author uses:

    He turned his bath back on and wandered into the bedroom to pour himself a glass of bourbon. A bath without a drink was like -- was like a bath without a drink. Was there any need to elaborate or compare?

    A voice on the television spoke excitedly about a complete set of prestigious carving knives, accompanied by an incredible wok, a beautiful set of salad bowls, a book of mouth-watering recipes, and, as if this wasn't enough, a machine for cutting vegetables into different shapes. Patrick glazed over as he stared at carrots being sliced, diced, shredded, and cubed (p 229.)

The series has also been turned into a television miniseries with Benedict Cumberbatch as Patrick Melrose. I have see the first episode and thought it was good.