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  • Patrick Melrose, Volume 2: Mother's Milk and At Last

  • Mother's Milk and At Last
  • By: Edward St. Aubyn
  • Narrated by: Alex Jennings
  • Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (123 ratings)

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Patrick Melrose, Volume 2: Mother's Milk and At Last

By: Edward St. Aubyn
Narrated by: Alex Jennings
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Summary

Read by actor Alex Jennings, Patrick Melrose Volume 2 contains the final two novels in Edward St Aubyn's semi-autobiographical series, filmed for Sky Atlantic and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as aristocratic addict, Patrick.

The once illustrious, once wealthy Melroses are in peril, and Patrick Melrose, now a husband and father, is trying to gather together the pieces of his life. Caught up in the turmoil of broken promises, assisted suicide, adultery and – most tender and terrifying of all – fatherhood, Patrick is still a long way from salvation, but even as the family struggles against the pull of its dark past, a new generation promises new light, new hope and – perhaps – the promise of a brighter future.

Deeply moving, hilarious and heartbreaking, Patrick Melrose Volume 2 contains the final two novels in the Patrick Melrose series: Mother’s Milk and At Last. Patrick Melrose Volume 1 is also available, containing the first three novels in the series, Never Mind, Bad News and Some Hope.

©2018 Edward St Aubyn (P)2018 Macmillan Digital Audio
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Critic reviews

The Melrose sequence is now clearly one of the major achievements of contemporary British fiction. Stingingly well-written and exhilaratingly funny (David Sexton)
Perhaps the most brilliant English novelist of his generation (Alan Hollinghurst)
St Aubyn puts an entire family under a microscope, laying bare all its painful, unavoidable complexities. At once epic and intimate, appalling and comic, the novels are masterpieces, each and every one (Maggie O’Farrell)

What listeners say about Patrick Melrose, Volume 2: Mother's Milk and At Last

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  • Overall
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Melrose

It’s narrated vey well with good rhythm. At moments seems to have great depth, but lacks consistency.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

thought provoking

I couldn't stop listening even when I didn't want to hear it. Like volume 1 I found myself waiting for an event to happen that never came along. Although it is frustrating and slow moving at times it provokes deep thought. Very well performed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Remarkable and challenging at times

Witty, clever, challenging journey around the human condition of some damaged privileged people often in pain and not always getting it right. Some deeply unpleasant characters with wonderfully sharp dialogue. Wonderful book but painful at times.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Probably the best performance on Audible

Alex Jennings is the perfect narrator. And a brilliant book too. Utterly engaging, infuriating characters. Brilliant.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Sparkling writing

Exceptionally well observed, written and performed. A tale of icy english upper class dysfunction. The cold detached tone and entitled characters can get annoying. Basically Evelyn Waugh for the modern age.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A sobering but engrossing listen

Volume 1 is an absolute requirement to listen to this book. Elegantly written, hear trending and amusing I went through the gamut of human emotions listening to it.

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Disturbingly brilliant

Some of the dialogue and observations are brilliant, world class. One moment you are cringing as you witness humanity at its worst and you are then helpless with laughter as the eviscerating words hit their awful mark.
I have so enjoyed both these volumes but I did tire just a little at the end of this one. Some of the later words poured over me like a torrent of barbiturates, soporiphic and incessant, but the sheer genius of the narration ensured that never a dull moment was had.
Hats off to Alex Jennings and his narration. His voices, pronunciation and inflection are the best I have ever heard.
All in all, very well worth listening to.

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Stunning memoir

The Patrick Melrose books are wonderful. Although the protagonist is going through hell trying to recover from a terrible childhood, the thoughtfulness and humour in the writing means these stories make for a riveting read. Followed by the double treat of watching Benedict Cumberpatch in the titular role. Reading the books first enriched that experience and added to the visual feast with a depth of understanding. Alex Jennings does great narration. An all round pleasure.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Narration

Alex Jennings did a great job of bringing all the characters in the book to life.

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I didn't waste a second

While enjoying Volume 1, I bought this concluding volume so that I could continue seamlessly. I must have finished both volumes in a matter of a few days. It's odd combination, knowing that the dark content of much of the story was experienced by Edward St Aubyn, while enjoying the hugely entertaining writing - such fabulous prose. I had, of course, heard of St. Aubyn but only recently read him and he made it straight into favourite writers category - worthy of re-reading! Alex Jennings impeccable standard of narration continues from Vol 1. The loveable rogue, Nicholas, has a superb outburst in At Last. On a more serious note, there's a lot to learn about pain and recovery in these volumes. I can't recommend them highly enough.

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