This is the latest in a series of occasional posts featuring books I read years ago about which I was wildly enthusiastic at the time, wanting to press a copy in as many hands as I could.
The son of a forensic psychiatrist, Patrick McGrath grew up near Broadmoor, the high security mental hospital for the criminally insane where his father was deputy superintendent which may well explain the preoccupation with madness in much of his fiction. I could have chosen any one of several of his novels but it was the atmospheric Port Mungo with its seedy Honduras setting that popped into my head.
After an idyllic Suffolk childhood, Jack and Gin Rathbone head for art school in London. When Jack meets acclaimed artist Vera Savage – thirteen years his senior – he falls obsessively in love, coercing her into leaving her husband and going to New York with him. They eventually settle in Port Mungo where Jack becomes absorbed in his painting while Vera indulges in frequent drinking bouts and flagrant infidelity, leaving Jack to raise their two daughters Peg and Anna. When Peg dies, aged sixteen, in mysterious circumstances, Gin persuades the stricken Jack to return to New York. Some years later, shocking revelations force her to re-evaluate her brother.
Port Mungo combines several of McGrath’s stylistic trademarks: Gin’s unreliable narration hints at trouble, the revelation of Jack’s true nature coupled with descriptions of Port Mungo, crumbling into the tropical mangrove swamps which add to the dark brooding atmosphere typical of much of his work. If Port Mungo appeals, I’d heartily recommend Spider, Asylum and The Wardrobe Mistress.
What about you, any blasts from the past you’d like to share?
You can find more posts like this here.
Sounds good!
He’s such an interesting writer particularly if you like a touch of gothic.
I agree with Travel Gourmet!
Whose blog is well worth a visit!
Will do. But … so many blogs. So little time.
I don’t think I’ve ever read this author, he sounds really interesting. I’ll look out for him now!
I hope you enjoy his writing if you get to it!
I don’t think I’ve ever read Patrick McGrath but I do like the sound of this.
He’s quite a dark writer, but pleasingly so!
Another interesting author to have been introduced to, thank you, Susan…
You’re welcome, Jennifer!
I haven’t read any of the books you mention but I loved his Last Days in Cleaver Square, and have been meaning to read more of him ever since. Glad to see you recommend Asylum since it’s the one I chose as my next read.
It’s a dark one but I’m sure you’ll be able to cope with that.
It’s fun to look back, isn’t it? I love that cover! I looked the book up just now on Amazon and I do like the USA Kindle/audio cover but the two others would put me off ever reading it.
I see what you mean! I enjoy putting these posts together although sometimes books I was impressed by years ago don’t stand up to another reading.
I think the thing about re-reading is the obvious one–you aren’t experiencing it for the first time. The King’s General by DDM is a great example! The blurb I saw left out a big spoiler that’s now in the blurb. Wow! What an impact that event had on my loving the book. Now? I know what happens. I have my re-reads that I go to for comfort but I skip the dull parts now lol
It’s also true that experience changes our view, of course. How dreadful to give the game away in the blurb. Publishers should be more careful.
I’ve read a few Patrick McGrath books and have really loved them. Spider is my favourite. I’ve not read Port Mungo. Will keep an eye out for it.
He’s an interesting writer. I’m sure his background must have influenced it.
Definitely. Spider is about a man with schizophrenia released back into the community set in London between the wars. There’s a brilliant film adaptation starring Ralph Fiennes which I highly recommend.
Thanks for that, Kim. I’ll look out for it.
I’ve read The Wardrobe Mistress – I think it was longlisted for The Walter Scott Prize some years ago? – but this seems quite different.
That rings a bell. It is different although both are similarly dark.
Oh I love Patrick McGrath and I haven’t read him in ages! I remember reading Asylum and being hugely impressed by the cool elegance of his writing about the darkest psychological conditions. Thank you for the reminder.
You’re welcome, Victoria. I’d also highly recommend The Wardrobe Mistress. A very smart chiller!
I’ve seen his name of course, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually read anything myself. He sounds good though. I went through quite a phase of reading books about madness, but I seem to have passed out of it since (or, fallen irretrievably into it perhaps? hehe).
It is a fascinating subject. I think his background must have been hugely influential on his writing.