Freedom? At Last?

The fifth and final Patrick Melrose novel by Edward St. Aubyn, At Last, is a fitting conclusion to this important literary series.  The book focuses on the funeral of Patrick’s mother and includes many flashbacks to earlier periods.  This may be the one novel in the series that might not stand so well on its own.  There are many references to characters and incidents from the previous books, and I wouldn’t pick up this one without having read at least some of the others first.

Patrick has suffered terribly over the years from both the overt and passive cruelty of his two parents.  Now that his mother is dead (his father passed away some time ago) he can circle back yet again and try to put it all in perspective.  The pain has been punishing, as have the self-limiting and sometimes self-destructive habits learned to avoid feeling the full brunt of the blows. At times Patrick’s intelligence is his own worst enemy as he willfully contorts reality in his efforts to survive emotionally, to support his children, to satisfy his own needs.

As always the writing is condensed, striking, and often just plain stellar.  St. Aubyn is a great prose stylist.  Even if the emotional drama isn’t your cup of tea, the words are to be savored.  These are really, really good books.  They will last. Serious readers need to read them.

Has Patrick found some measure of safety?  I dearly hope so. His parents are gone. Free?  At last?  If this is freedom . . .

Wishing peace for Patrick.