The Patrick Melrose Novels Collection Edward St Aubyn 5 Books Set (Mothers Milk, Never Mind, Some Hope, At Last, Bad News) Paperback – 1 Jan. 2015

St Aubyn is a thoroughbred writer - he writes beautifully with an economy and precision that few of his cotemporaries come near. Some of his set-pieces are exquisitely funny; the characterisation is wonderful and - another rarity - he is economical. These are not the usual overblown, over-written, sprawling 'masterpieces' in need of a good sub-editor: they are very good novels indeed which I recommend wholeheartedly. Having said which be prepared to find the subject matter disturbing. I understand that these books draw heavily on St Aubyn's own life-experience in which case he has all my sympathies. But these are not 'misery-memoirs' - they are simply stories drawn from life which confront the sometimes horrible reality that the central character, Patrick Melrose, confronts. These are the finest English novels I have read in the last decade and bear comparison with some of the Greats: Evelyn Waugh would be not be shamed by some of this writing and I couldn't give higher praise.

I couldn't put these books down. In fact when I finished volume 1, I immediately started from the beginning again to savour it more slowly. His writing is wonderful, lyrical and totally engrossing. I finished them all too soon; basically reading a volume a day while on holiday. I was fascinated by the insight into the workings of the upper class mind and their way of thinking; breathtaking arrogance but compulsive all the same. Patrick's experience as a drug addict in New York is both sad but laugh out loud funny. Is it any wonder with his mother and father he turned out the way he did. Knowing that these books are autobiographical makes them all the more shocking and poignant. A must read both for the subject matter but also for St Aubyn's beautifully crafted writing.

St Aubyn's Patrick Melrose series is captivating. Semi-autobiographical, he takes us from Patrick's odd, privileged, lonely and frighteningly abused childhood through much of his life. The character development of Patrick and his intimates is powerful, brilliant. The continuing interest in the developing young rich-ish kid who travels from of drug and alcohol dependency followed by cold turkey to the very fragile career success as a barrister is compelling. The man remains damaged, on the brink of disaster all the time. The characters who inhabit Patrick's world are weird and wonderful: nasty, evil, pretentious, compassionate, wise cynics, foolish sycophants, loving friends, dangerous enemies. His father's influence dogs him throughout as is true of St Aubyn's life. it's brilliant. Each book is a bite-size chunk of dark, comic exposure of human motivation. The prose crackles. All human life is there.

The best fiction is often based on real people and real events as is the case here. These are not books about a half understood world and it is that veracity, along with the darkest shade of black humour which gives these novels their bite. Easily the best thing l have read in British fiction for many years although relatively unheralded, largely l suspect because they depict a world which we are supposed to have left behind. As a dedicated prole myself l say three cheers for top notch posh fiction - this is even better than Evelyn Waugh.

I enjoyed reading these books but found them quite depressing in parts, specially when he was heavily into drugs. The books are quite a good read but certainly would not be for everyone. Patrick Melrose obviously came from a highly privileged background which probably explains a lot of his problems!

The delicate balance between fiction and truth and the truth of both, as well as the humour and simplicity of bringing out very profound experiences. Enjoyable, informative, well narrated.

These books are exceptionally good - moving, gripping, and blissfully short. As Goethe said, "I don't have the time to write you a short letter." So many books are way too long; these are just right. Read three in a week. Also fantastically dramatized for television as PATRICK MELROSE.

Perfect condition, amazing novel, cheap price.