This was a really interesting novel and there was definitely a sense of humour here which may not be for everyone but was definitely up my street.

I do wish I had read the previous novel that this one follows but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.

This novel is a prime example of a writer who is gifted with excellent characters, a great storyline and more than a dash of humour with some social commentary thrown in. Martin is a therapist who has some colourful patients including Sebastian. He is a twin and he ended up in care while his twin sister, Olivia, was adopted and, by all appearances, has had a normal life. Olivia is a radio producer and she is working on a radio series detailing natural disasters, everything from overpopulation to climate change. The descriptions of Sebastian’s conversation with Martin as his therapist and his overall train of thought is extremely well written- often, writers do not capture the chaotic thought processes of those with major mental health diagnoses. The story of Olivia and Sebastian develops over one year and the intricacies of their lives is revealed with wit and pragmatism. A natural born story teller- very enjoyable.

Before you read this book, you should know that it’s a sequel to St Aubyn’s 2021 novel ‘Double Blind’. Before reading this review, you should know that I did not know that before reading this book. I made that discovery when I was 70% through this book, and thinking “wow, this is a weird way to structure a book. Who are all of these people? Kind of weird that we get very little backstory about any of them!”

Does anything I have to say about this book hold any value now? Unsure! Hard not to feel like most of my issues with it could have been resolved by reading the preceding novel. As a standalone novel, this feels pretty unfocused, flitting between characters who are barely introduced and plot lines that are hard to follow - and don’t seem to tie in to the main strand of this story much at all! However, I’m sure they probably do tie in to the wider story of the series and so they likely make a lot more sense with that context. This novel literally ends with a character saying “to be continued” and none of the plot strands get any closure, so it’s safe to say there’s more coming.

There are a couple of other reviews on Goodreads suggesting that this can be read as a standalone. I don’t wholly disagree, I clearly could and did read it as a standalone, and I enjoyed my time with it just fine. Chapters focused on Sebastian are particularly engaging, with the stream-of-consciousness and scattered prose mirroring his own mental health issues in a really inventive way. The main plot following Sebastian meeting his twin sister and the way the majority of the characters’ stories intersect is really neatly plotted, and enjoyable to uncover. I did have issues with the sheer intellectualism of the novel, though - every single character in this novel, including the 5 year-old, is unbelievably introspective and analytical. There are pages upon pages of philosophical discussions that do not feel like authentic conversations that real people actually have, and these become a bit of a slog to wade through.

Just because you CAN read this as a standalone novel, though, it doesn’t mean you should - you shouldn’t. Read the first one first. I haven’t, but I’m pretty confident that this is a better novel when you actually know what’s going on.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for a review.

Whilst I had heard of this author, I had never read any of his books, so was pleased to have the opportunity to read one with an interesting premise. Sadly however I found it really hard to get into even after a second attempt and knowing that Sebastian was in a psychiatric unit. Edward St Aubyn is obviously a clever writer, almost too clever in that I kept thinking I was missing a joke or plot point. Unfortunately I was unable to finish it.
Thank you to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book

Parallel Lines offers a beautifully complex exploration of human connection, emotional fragility, and the often unpredictable paths our lives take. In this intricate narrative, St Aubyn examines the intersecting lives of a therapist, his patient, and those closest to them, all struggling to come to terms with their own personal crises. While some of the narrative threads may initially seem disconnected, they gradually converge in a poignant and thought-provoking way.

Sebastian, the central character, is in treatment after a breakdown that has left him emotionally fractured. His journey is one of searching—searching for meaning, understanding, and connection, particularly with the mother who abandoned him during his childhood. His therapist, Martin, is also dealing with personal turmoil, notably his adopted daughter Olivia’s strained relationship with her biological mother. Olivia, meanwhile, is producing a radio series on natural disasters, which feels oddly parallel to the natural disasters unfolding in her own life, particularly as she grapples with the precarious health of her best friend, Lucy, and the ambitious mission of her husband, Francis, to rewild the world.

The novel is rich with emotional depth, as the characters wrestle with their pasts, their relationships, and their own sense of identity. While the first part of the book introduces a variety of threads—some of which felt more engaging than others—the narrative truly begins to take shape in the latter half. As the lives of Sebastian, Martin, Olivia, and the other characters intertwine, the impact of their actions and decisions becomes more pronounced. The eventual convergence of their stories is both dramatic and subtle, revealing the intricate ways in which our lives are shaped by both chance and choice.

One of the most compelling aspects of Parallel Lines is its ability to explore the complexity of relationships. St Aubyn delves into the nuanced dynamics between parents and children, the longing for connection, and the ways in which people cope with trauma. The emotional stakes are high, and as the story unfolds, the reader becomes increasingly invested in the fates of the characters.

However, the ending left me with a sense of ambiguity. Whether this was due to the proof copy or simply the deliberate choice of the author, it felt somewhat unresolved, which may be frustrating for some readers but intriguing for others. The final chapters are by far the most gripping, but the lack of clear closure makes the reader question the ultimate message of the book.

Overall, Parallel Lines is a deeply reflective and emotionally charged story. While it might require patience through the early stages, the payoff in the final third makes it a rewarding read. If you enjoy literary fiction that examines the intricacies of human relationships and the unpredictable nature of life’s journey, St Aubyn’s latest book is one to consider.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I have not read this author before but the blurb appealed so I requested an ARC.
Unfortunately I did not connect with this book. I found it very hard going and difficult to follow and to know where I was in the story. I had to keep going back and checking to make sure I hadn't misread something.
Sadly not for me

Edward St Aubyn’s ‘Parallel Lines’ is an incisive, sharply written novel that blends satire, psychological depth, and linguistic playfulness in a way that will either delight or frustrate readers, depending on their taste for St Aubyn’s signature wit. It is an engaging and intelligent exploration of identity, privilege, and the absurdities of the London elite.

At the heart of the novel is a tale of separated twins — Sebastian (Seb), a brilliant but deeply troubled man navigating schizophrenia, and Olivia, who was adopted at birth by none other than Seb’s eventual therapist, Dr. Martin Carr. Their contrasting upbringings set the stage for a novel that oscillates between cutting social commentary and deeply personal reckonings. Surrounding them is a cast of vividly drawn characters, from artists to tycoons, whose lives weave into the central narrative with both humour and poignancy.

Stylistically, ‘Parallel Lines’ is both dazzling and demanding. St Aubyn’s wordplay is razor-sharp, his prose bordering on stream-of-consciousness at times, making it an immersive yet sometimes challenging read. The satire of the privileged London classes is particularly biting, though for some, the sheer density of irony might make it feel more like a literary exercise than an emotionally resonant story. However, the novel’s final act delivers a surprising warmth, tying its strands together in a way that hints at the possibility of a sequel.

This was my first novel by the author, and I was intrigued. It’s also the second in a possible series, but stands well on its own. It is an intelligent and entertaining novel, best suited for readers who enjoy their fiction laced with wit, wordplay, and a touch of existential absurdity.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This is an author I've not read before, so was pleased to have the opportunity to do so. The writing is exquisite, no doubt about that, but I did find it hard going at times - I think this is an author you need to work at, which is not for everyone, but very enjoyable for others.

Parallel Lines is about estranged twins, Sebastian and Olivia.

The book jumps between the perspectives of different characters. Initially, Sebastian is an inpatient in a hospital. These early parts of the book felt fairly abstract and difficult to follow at points, which was very likely done intentionally by the author to reflect the distress and general wellbeing of Sebastian. Olivia has a young son, and she has lived a relatively privileged life. These parts of the book feel more structured.

As the book progresses, the link between Olivia and Sebastian becomes more clear. I thought the book was okay, but a little difficult to follow at points. I thought the way the author looked at mental health, relationships and family dynamics was interesting.

With thanks to Random House, Vintage Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was on edge all the way through reading Parallel Lines. In it, there's a character making six programmes about how the world might end, and I convinced myself that someone's world would end in violence by the end of the book. We are told two different stories running side-by-side. Olivia and Sebastian were given up for adoption at birth, Olivia into privilege, Sebastian into hardship. Because Sebastian is schizophrenic and disturbed, I feared that someone would die when the two narratives came together.
As a very wise Monk in the book says: "But a feeling is just a feeling.," said Guido. 'It is like th shadow of a cloud; we don't have to pay so much attention to it.'

This is something quite different. I liked the creative writing style expressing the thoughts of a mentally unstable person.

This is my first Edward St Aubyn novel - I hadn't read double Blind which is an earlier book that introduces several characters

This is a tale of siblings - identical twins separated at birth and the story of their different paths that lead to a reunion. the book starts from the perspective of Sebastian- the brother and schizophrenic- receiving treatment from Dr Martin Carr.
Dr Carr's adoptive daughter Lucy is navigating life with young son and a husband who re-wilding the world!

This is a 'clever' book- clever in the sense of word play but also in relation to satirising the 'chattering' classes of the London elite/wealthy- but sometimes it feels every sentence is a bit of an' in-joke' - that Mr St Aubyn is on a mission to take an ironic view of the world in such a way that nothing is truly real and it becomes a Guardian article.- so much virtue signalling it became exhausting

The mindset of Sebastian is beautifully constructed as he navigates his understanding of modern life but it is the final quarter of this book that redeems the novel with a sense of warmth as stories are linked and new relationships are made. It would seem from the final line that a sequel may one day appear...

Personally this is a 3.5 for the final part but will give 3 overall - I just felt that wasn't truly into the mindset of the author enough although I can imagine many will be.

I have read several books by this author before which I have really enjoyed. However, I struggled with this one. It is very clever, knowingly so, and when we read Sebastian’s stream of consciousness, he is in analysis, it feels like reading the worst social media rants. And there are few paragraphs to break it up, which I get is a stylistic choice but which I find difficult.

There are several threads of different stories some of which, of Olivia in particular, I found more engaging than others. Eventually, these stories begin to overlap and merge and that is when it got more interesting. I enjoyed the last third of the book most but the ending was ambiguous and I was uncertain whether it was because I had a proof copy.

I understand from other reviews there is a prequel and a possible sequel. I would like to know how this ends!

I read an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publishers.

Sebastian is a schizophrenic and is in hospital because his mental health has broken down for several reasons, not least because he wants to meet his birth mother. His psychotherapist Dr Martin Carr has serious concerns about this for very good reason reasons of his own. Meanwhile, Martin’s adopted daughter Olivia has concerns of her own. She’s back at work following looking after her young son Noah and is making a series of programmes on natural disasters. This seems to be a parallel line for issues in her personal life connected to her environmentalist husband Francis who is on a mission to re-wild the world and worries about the health of her best friend Lucy. It transpires that Martin is in a very tricky situation and is on a sticky wicket. Will the situation be a train wreck or something else entirely? It seems the fates have things in store for all of them and it might turn out to be beautiful.

This is intense, sensitive, colourful, poignant and quite moving at times. Sebastian‘s fractured mind at the start is wonderfully written with gorgeous prose and as someone who’s partner has mental health issues his furiously running mind makes me feel emotional. As Dr Carr works his magic and Sebastian becomes calmer, my love for him as a character grows and grows. The way his mind works is truly fantastic, it’s an original entity of beauty which is spellbinding and makes me marvel. His imagination has so much power that I can only describe it as glorious. He is brilliantly captured and depicted by the author and he is a character that will endure for me.

Olivia‘s mind is also a fertile, creative and intriguing place. She is also a lovely person, she’s caring, sympathetic and empathetic. Francis grows on me, there are some lovely scenes towards the end where I re-evaluate him and as for Noah, he’s delightful.

Edward St Aubyn is a very erudite writer, he’s clearly extremely clever and I confess that some of the conversations between characters are a bit too intellectual for me! There is humour and plenty of it which is sometimes the sardonic variety which works for me. There are clever plays on words, especially in Sebastian‘s head which I love.

As a potential storms build and it all begins to connect with parallel lines becoming coincidences, it’s as if the universe is coming together and it’s very satisfying. I love the end with gorgeous Noah capturing it into simple sentences.

I haven’t read Double Blind but this is easily read as a standalone.

Four stars overall but five stars for the character of Sebastian.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Vintage for a much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

After his brilliant 2021 novel *Double Blind*, St. Aubyn is back with *Parallel Lines*, bringing his signature sharp wit and hilarious, yet dark, take on the messy human condition.

The story centers around Sebastian (Seb), a fast-talking, quick-thinking guy with schizophrenia, and his twin sister Olivia, who was adopted by Seb’s future therapist. While Olivia grew up in a nurturing environment, Seb had a rougher time. Alongside them, we meet a colorful mix of characters—a TV producer, an artist, a billionaire, a pilot, a cancer survivor—and they all create this dynamic world that feels both wild and limitless. St. Aubyn plays with labels and professions in such a free-spirited way, weaving plotlines that just feel open-ended and unpredictable. The storytelling is smart, and the way he sets scenes makes for a super engaging read.

*Parallel Lines* is clever and erudite, but it never feels too pretentious. While it might not carry the same weight as his Melrose novels, it’s still pure fun, full of energy and beautifully written. It works perfectly as a standalone or as a nice follow-up to *Double Blind*.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!