Edward St. Aubyn’s novels Never Mind, Bad News & Some Hope follow the tortured Patrick Melrose as he grows up in an aristocratic society on the brink of irrelevancy in a new and modern era. It is hard to give a volume of books one rating especially because I felt very differently about each novel. In the following paragraphs I will give each novel its own rating.
Never Mind is worthy of five stars. It is in this novel we are introduced to Patrick’s dysfunctional parents and their destructive behaviours. Patrick is a lonely imaginative child who doesn’t receive much parental attention or care. His childhood is overshadowed by his domineering and sadomasochist father. I enjoyed this novel because of how well written the characters were - which was the case with the other two novels as well. You get to really understand how the characters think and reason. St. Aubyn is very good at creating vivid imagery and linking the characters inner workings to their external environment.
Bad News is worthy of two stars. In this novel we meet a twenty-two year old Patrick who is in the throes of a harrowing heroin addiction when he receives news of his father’s passing. Although St. Aubyn is just as masterful a writer in this novel as he is in Never Mind I found it confusing at times as much of it follows Patrick’s drug fuelled musings. What I found interesting about this novel is how Patrick even in his most degenerate states has an acute sense of just how far he has fallen. It was refreshing to meet a character with such self-awareness. Usually authors prefer to create characters without this trait so as to inspire sympathy in the reader.
Some Hope is worthy of four stars. It has been eight years since Patrick’s father died and Patrick is a recovering addict. Patrick is now ready to come to terms with his abusive childhood and perhaps even ready to become a constructive member of society. These are thoughts whirring in Patrick’s brain as he prepares for a fancy dinner party. This was the funniest of all the books as St. Aubyn gives the reader witty, sarcastic and acerbic dialogue between the aristocratic characters surrounding Patrick. This novel was the most moving of the series thus far as we journey with Patrick in his attempt to feel for the first time in his life. I look forward to continuing with the series.
Top reviews from other countries
Judith Lyons
A fascinating story, based on the authors life.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2019K. Redfern
Why have I not discovered this author before?!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2019