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Edward St Aubyn

104quotes

Edward St Aubyn


#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Edward St Aubyn is a British novelist, known professionally as Edward St Aubyn.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on November 16, 1960, in London, England. No date of death recorded for this biography.

Nationality and Profession(s)


British; Novelist

Early Life and Background


Edward St Aubyn's birth name is Nicholas Edgar Whitshank. He was born to a British aristocratic family and spent his early years at the family estate in Scotland. In 1969, when Edward was nine years old, his mother took him and his two siblings to live in London. His father, John Whitshank, struggled with addiction and mental health issues. This difficult upbringing is said to have influenced much of his writing.

St Aubyn's education began at a private boarding school, where he met and befriended others who would later become part of his social circle. However, it was during his time at Charterhouse School that Edward first began experimenting with creative writing. His early experiences in both the rural and urban settings significantly shaped his perspective on the world.

Major Accomplishments


St Aubyn is primarily recognized for his Patron Saints series, which comprises six novels: _Never Mind_, _Bad Blood_, _Some Hope_, _At Last_, _Mother's Milk_, and _Dentist_. The series offers a semi-autobiographical account of the author's life. It delves into themes such as mental illness, addiction, family dynamics, and personal struggles. These deeply personal works have earned Edward St Aubyn widespread critical acclaim.

Notable Works or Actions


In addition to his Patron Saints series, St Aubyn has written several other novels that demonstrate a similar depth of insight into the human condition. He is also known for his essays and criticism on literature. Edward's contributions as a novelist and essayist have solidified his place within the literary world.

Impact and Legacy


Edward St Aubyn's writing not only offers readers an intimate glimpse into his life but also tackles universal themes with precision and empathy. His portrayal of mental health, addiction, and family relationships has provided comfort to those who have faced similar challenges. Through his novels and essays, he has become a respected voice in contemporary literature.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Edward St Aubyn's work resonates deeply due to its unflinching portrayal of difficult subjects. His writing has been praised for its lyricism and emotional depth, which allows readers to connect with his experiences on a profound level. As such, his quotes are widely sought after for their insight into the human experience and the importance of empathy in understanding others' struggles.

Edward St Aubyn's life and work serve as a testament to the power of literature in processing personal trauma and sharing that knowledge with others. His writing has not only earned him a place within the literary canon but also continues to resonate with readers who seek connection and understanding through his words.

Quotes by Edward St Aubyn

She had brushed her teeth before vomiting as well, never able to utterly crush the optimistic streak in her nature.
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She had brushed her teeth before vomiting as well, never able to utterly crush the optimistic streak in her nature.
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She was ghastly and quite mad, but when I grew up I figured her worst punishment was to be herself and I didn’t have to do anything more.
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She was ghastly and quite mad, but when I grew up I figured her worst punishment was to be herself and I didn’t have to do anything more.
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Other people knew what they were meant to say, knew what they were meant to mean, and other people still – otherer people – knew what the other people meant when they said it.
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Other people knew what they were meant to say, knew what they were meant to mean, and other people still – otherer people – knew what the other people meant when they said it.
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Ninety per cent of the drugs were for him and ten per cent for Natasha, a woman who remained an impenetrable mystery to him during the six months they lived together. The only thing he felt certain about was that she irritated him; but then, who didn’t?
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Ninety per cent of the drugs were for him and ten per cent for Natasha, a woman who remained an impenetrable mystery to him during the six months they lived together. The only thing he felt certain about was that she irritated him; but then, who didn’t?
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What was the thread that held together the scattered beads of experience if not the pressure of interpretation? The meaning of life was whatever meaning one could thrust down its reluctant throat.
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What was the thread that held together the scattered beads of experience if not the pressure of interpretation? The meaning of life was whatever meaning one could thrust down its reluctant throat.
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Why was he in this state? Or perhaps the question was why had he not always been in this state? Why had he not always found life so disturbing and so poignant?
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Why was he in this state? Or perhaps the question was why had he not always been in this state? Why had he not always found life so disturbing and so poignant?
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The leafless trees, with their black branches stretched hysterically in every direction, looked to him like illustrations of a central nervous system racked by disease: studies of human suffering anatomized against the winter sky.
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The leafless trees, with their black branches stretched hysterically in every direction, looked to him like illustrations of a central nervous system racked by disease: studies of human suffering anatomized against the winter sky.
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I’ll let you in on a little secret, Garry: everything is history. By the time you notice it, it’s already happened. That famous imposter, “the present,” disappears in the cognitive gap. Mind the gap!
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I’ll let you in on a little secret, Garry: everything is history. By the time you notice it, it’s already happened. That famous imposter, “the present,” disappears in the cognitive gap. Mind the gap!
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Was this the triumph of self-knowledge: to suffer more lucidly?
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Was this the triumph of self-knowledge: to suffer more lucidly?
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Balance was so elusive: either it was like this, too fast, or there was the heavy thing like wading through a swamp to get to the end of a sentence.
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Balance was so elusive: either it was like this, too fast, or there was the heavy thing like wading through a swamp to get to the end of a sentence.
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