Acclaimed for their searing wit & their deep humanity this magnificent cycle of novels -- in which Patrick Melrose battles to survive the savageries of his childhood & lead a self-determined life -- is one of the major achievements in English fiction. Perhaps the most brilliant English novelist of his generation Alan Hollinghurst Ive loved Edward St Aubyns Patrick Melrose novels. Read them all now David Nicholls The wit of Wilde the lightness of Wodehouse the waspishness of Waugh. A joy Zadie Smith At once epic & intimate appalling & comic the Melrose novels are masterpieces Maggie OFarrell