St. Aubyn, Shut up about the U.S.

And another thing: I get that Edward St. Aubyn's Patrick Melrose novels are his evisceration of the fading British aristocracy with their hideous snobbery, elitism, sense of privilege, contempt for all others, and delusions of grandeur. But what's with the critique of America and Americans (aside from the title-hunting wealthy idiots who marry into the British upper classes in their Jamesian way, definitely deserving of contempt)? Second volume aside, which takes place for the most part in NYC as Patrick scours city streets to feed his addiction, the novels are set in England and British"occupied" France (a French resort where the Melrose clan owns property), but in the 4th volume, Mother's Milk, as the Melroses have been locked out of the family vacation estate they decide fro some reason to act on the child's suggestion and vacation in the America. Good idea - but what a nasty view of America St. Aubyn, via Melrose, provides: starting with the plane ride when he mocks an American family whom he considers soft and overweight. Is this uniquely American? Is it any reason to hold them to the same standard of contempt that you hold for your pederast father? Year heartless mother? Then in the States were subjected to a litany of petty complaints: the hotel is too drab and crass. OK, you chose to stay at a goddamn place called The Churchill; did you ever think it might be emulating the dull and dark London hotels? Then they go out for dinner in a restaurant that they all seem to dislike - they even dislike the friendly American service. The bratty kid Robert complains that the pizza isn't as good as what they used to get in France. My heart bleeds! This has to be the first time in my life that I've heard of a Brit complaining about anyone else's food. That aside, are you aware that there are about a million good restaurant in NYC - so don't just step into the one closest to your hotel and expect a Michelin star; do a little research and find a place to your liking. Patric/Edward - go after the British twits for all its worth, that's a subject you know and feel deeply about, a target for whom your contempt is justified - but shut up about the U.S. about which you seem to know nothing.