I just realised that telling you about each of the novels in the series can be a spoiler on its own. I mean, this way you learn that Patrick, a survivor of a horrible childhood and a person with a history of drug addiction, doesn’t die and continues to grow older. Thus, if you want to dive into the novels completely unaware of the story’s direction, you might want to ignore my reviews of the novels completely. I still give out no spoilers in each review, so decide for yourself. Here’s my review of Some Hope, the third novel about Patrick Melrose.

What is it like?

First of all, it’s easier to read. At some point I even checked if I was really reading a Melrose novel because the sentences of the first two books took much longer to unravel. The hallmark sharp writing that reveals people’s essence in just one sentence is still here.

Bridget seldom found the time to see her daughter. She could not forgive her for being a girl…

Johny looked at Amanda and marvelled again at the phenomenon of pretty girls who were not at all sexy.

Obeying the law that people always loathe those they have wronged, Sonny found himself especially allergic to Bridget…

Alexander Politsky, whose extreme Englishness derived from his being Russian, was perhaps the last man in England to use the term ‘old bean’ sincerely.

The humour is still here too.

‘Do you know where we are?’ asked Tom.

‘Sure,’ said Anne. ‘We’re out of our minds.’

Patrick is as quotable as ever.

‘One seldom knows whether perseverance is noble or stupid until it’s too late.’

‘It was a terrible shock to me when I realized I was getting too old to die young anymore.’

‘There’s no point in staying stuck,’ Patrick agreed. ‘But there’s even less point in pretending to be free.’

I could probably quote the whole book to you. I had to restrain myself from sharing all of the quotes so that you can discover the gems for yourself.

What’s wrong with the book, then?

Have you seen all those people in the quotes? There are actually even more of them. They all keep talking all the time! Do you see how awesome Patrick is, how interesting it is to listen to him? Well, there isn’t enough of him in this book. All those strangers keep philosophising at a dinner party, but with all due respect to them, I’m in this for Patrick not for them. That’s why I’m giving the book 3.5 stars. The lack of any action played its role too. One single step that Patrick takes towards hope is really meaningful but not enough for a reader who’s been dragging through tons of strangers’ conversations!

So, is there any hope?

Yes, there definitely is, but don’t hold your breath, it’s just a glimmer of hope.

Will I continue with the series?

I’m already continuing. I’m reading the fourth novel at the moment. I can’t let go of the writing that is so perfect. In his novels Edward St. Aubyn is doing the main thing that I love about literature. He’s cutting to the core with just a few phrases. He’s giving names to the things that you feel were always there but you become fully aware of them only when they acquire form. Edward St. Aubyn achieves this in all the three Patrick Melrose novels that I’ve read so far.

Here are the reviews of the previous novels in the series: Never Mind, Patrick Melrose novel #1 and Bad News, Patrick Melrose novel #2.

1. What We Buried by Kate A. Boorman

I won this book in a Giveaway organised by Lili @ Utopia State Of Mind. Thank you Lili! I had no idea I was in for such a treat! The book will be out in the end of February, so I will post my review later. I can say now that I’m starting to suspect I’m still a young adult, because it’s yet another young adult novel that I have liked really much. It’s surreal and absolutely gripping! It tells a story about very complicated family relationships. The book is not without its flaws but it’s very entertaining.

2. The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Sarah Perry was my love at the first line. I am enjoying reading her stories even when nothing spectacular is happening for half a book. I am fine with the lack of action if the writing is that good. But I do know some bloggers (hello Wellreadtart ) who might strongly dislike the book for this very reason. I think The Essex Serpent is what they call a slow burn. It burns slowly, but oh so beautifully .

3. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

I’m still reading this book, and I have to say I am treading the story very carefully because I have a lurking suspicion I might abandon it eventually. This book did absolutely nothing to deserve this, but it reminds me a chic lit genre which has repeatedly disappointed me recently. Meanwhile the story is quite charming. It’s a story about book sales rep and a book shop owner. It has so many different books mentioned that I keep taking notes not only about the book itself but about the books that are mentioned there.

4. Patrick Melrose novels #3 and #4

I grew very much attached to Patrick, a character with a very difficult childhood, a history of drug addiction, and with some hope for a better future. I’m less than two novels away from the end of his story, so no matter what happens in the books I am not going to quit. But, as you see, I still haven’t posted a review of Some Hope, Patrick Melrose novel #3. That’s because Edward St. Aubyn’s talent to write a whole novel based on just a few events reached unbearable levels in this third book. It’s a curious case of a book that you read for a long time, but afterwards can’t say much about. I’m reading the fourth novel now, called Mother’s Milk where Patrick is even older, and the author gives the book a new perspective that I’m not sure I’m happy about.

If you are curious, here are my reviews of the first two novels: Never Mind, Patrick Melrose novel #1 and Bad News, Patrick Melrose novel #2.

5. The Turning, short stories by Tim Winton

Can you tell me how it is possible that short stories are losing popularity? At least, that’s what I heard. I mean, people seem to prefer short Twitter messages over longer blog posts but they still don’t like it when a whole story is told very shortly and thus it is even more focused and intense?

Anyway, back to the topic. I’ve read a few short stories from The Turning and I loved them. They are very atmospheric and thought-provoking. My only little problem with them is the writing, which is very abrupt. It’s obviously just a style so I can’t hold it against the book.

That is it for these first five days of the fresh new year. I’m wishing you happy reading. Tell me what you are reading right now if you want to chat.

If you are interested in similar posts from previous months, here they are:

Reading books in December
Currently reading in November
Currently reading (a post from October)