Parallel Lines

A gripping novel from the acclaimed author of the Patrick Melrose series introduces readers to the poignant journey of a brother and sister. Lauded as ‘perhaps the most brilliant English novelist of his generation’ by Alan Hollinghurst, this story captivates with its emotional depth and intellectual allure. The narrative follows Sebastian, who is undergoing therapy after experiencing a psychological collapse. He is driven by a desire to reconnect with the mother who left him. His therapist, Martin, is dealing with his own issues, particularly the complicated relationship between his adopted daughter, Olivia, and her biological mother. Olivia is simultaneously engaged in creating a radio series about natural disasters, events that seem to mirror the turbulence in her own life. As the year progresses, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, unveiling their destinies in profound and transformative manners. Described by the Financial Times as ‘a tale of art and family…brimming with wordplay’ and celebrated by the New York Times for its ‘sentences that whoosh past like arrows,’ this work showcases St Aubyn’s immense literary gifts. Donna Tartt echoes the sentiment with her expression of admiration, saying, ‘I love Edward St Aubyn.’