Edward St. Aubyn books

Edward St. Aubyn is a British novelist known for the autobiographical Patrick Melrose novels, which chronicle addiction, abuse, and recovery among the English upper class.

Hogarth Shakespeare Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Gap of Time 2015 Buy
Shylock is My Name 2016 Buy
Vinegar Girl 2016 Buy
Hag-Seed 2016 Buy
New Boy 2017 Buy
Dunbar 2017 Buy
Macbeth 2018 Buy

Patrick Melrose Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Bad News 1992 Buy
אין דבר 1992 N/A
Never Mind 1992 Buy
Some Hope 1994 Buy
Mother’s Milk 2005 Buy
Toivoa sopii 2014 N/A
At Last 2011 Buy

Standalone Novels

Title Published Buy on Amazon
On the Edge 1998 Buy
A Clue to the Exit 2000 Buy
Lost for Words 2014 Buy
Double Blind 2021 Buy
Parallel Lines 2025 Buy

Edward St. Aubyn is a British novelist whose reputation rests largely on the Patrick Melrose novels, a sequence of five books (plus related titles) that trace one man’s life from a childhood of horrific abuse through heroin addiction, recovery, and an uneasy reckoning with his family’s legacy. The series, which St. Aubyn has acknowledged is closely based on his own life, is written with a precision and dark wit that keeps the material from becoming merely harrowing.

Beyond the Melrose books, St. Aubyn has written several standalone novels including Lost for Words (2014), a satire of literary prize culture, and Double Blind (2021), which weaves together stories about science, nature, and consciousness. He also contributed Dunbar (2017) to the Hogarth Shakespeare project, reimagining King Lear in a modern setting. His prose style is sharp and unsparing, whether he is writing about trauma, intellectual pretension, or the absurdities of privilege.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Edward St. Aubyn written?

Edward St. Aubyn has written nineteen books across three series.

What was Edward St. Aubyn's first book?

Edward St. Aubyn’s first book is Bad News, published in 1992.

Are the Patrick Melrose novels autobiographical?

Yes, substantially. Edward St. Aubyn has acknowledged that the Patrick Melrose novels draw heavily on his own life, including childhood abuse by his father, heroin addiction, and his experience of the English aristocracy. The novels transform these personal experiences into fiction, but the parallels are well documented.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

Privacy Policy