Edward St Aubyn, creator of the hugely popular Patrick Melrose series, has been described as ‘perhaps the most brilliant English novelist of his generation.’ Readers of his most recent work would undoubtedly agree. Even the title Parallel Lines elicits a shiver of anticipation. What would happen, we can’t help but wonder, if we actually did that? If we set off in opposite directions and walked around the world until we met again? Would we be ‘pleased’ or is it more likely that such an action would set off a string of events which would leave us reeling? All those who feature in these pages face challenges and, in true St Aubyn style, these challenges reveal their destinies in a new light; some of them comic, others compassionate, many chaotic.

Edward St Aubyn was born in London. His internationally acclaimed Patrick Melrose novels were made into a BAFTA award-winning Sky Atlantic TV series starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role.

… [Parallel Lines] has formal verve and political vitality

Orwell Prize for Political Fiction Judges, 2025