yeah - he's definitely the central character in my eyes - you learn about him from those around him

 gleaming | Dec 3 2007, 21:04 pm

and of course from his internal thoughts - i started to lost it a bit at the beginning - when he would go off on one. But it was a good way of showing someone losing it and being permanently drunk

 gleaming | Dec 3 2007, 21:06 pm

and he gets a lot of air-time himself...It took me a while to get past his selfishness and start to empathise a little

 burntsugar | Dec 3 2007, 21:06 pm

he was a good drunk...I think Edward St Aubyn wrote the best drunken sequence I've read for quite a while

 burntsugar | Dec 3 2007, 21:07 pm

the changes in perspective certainally helped you to get a view of him through the eyes of others - as well as his internal dialogues. Not the most sympathetic character - I found it difficult to empathise with him

 juliab | Dec 3 2007, 21:08 pm

where he buys all three sizes of bottles of bourbon? He reminded me of Richard E Grant in 'Withnail and I'!

 gleaming | Dec 3 2007, 21:09 pm

does Patrick deserve his (immediate) family? Isn't Mary staying with him a big stretch?

 burntsugar | Dec 3 2007, 21:10 pm

She's so self-sacrificing - staying with Patrick suits her saintly role. Although he is showing signs of improvement towards the end.

 gleaming | Dec 3 2007, 21:11 pm

The relationship appears to suit both of their purposes - maybe it gives them both what they need?

 juliab | Dec 3 2007, 21:12 pm

why do you think E S Aubyn makes the kids so freaky? They are so adult while all the adults are being childish - maybe that's it

 gleaming | Dec 3 2007, 21:13 pm