I had these sitting on my bookshelf for quite a while and didn't give them much thought until I discovered that they'd currently been adapted for TV with Benedict Cumberbatch. As someone who always prefers to read the book before seeing the film/TV adaptation, I decided to give them a go. There are 5 books, which to me read like one book, set over five different time frames of Melrose's life.

I didn't dislike the books at all, and it is a particular heavy story line, but the prose and structure in which it is written didn't have me absorbed. Similar writing style to a lot of late 19th century English literature (think the Romantic Period and the beginnings of Gothic literature) it just didn't attach itself to me like a good book would.

Having since started watching the TV adaptation, I do have a firmer grasp on the intensity of the wide array of emotions portrayed blazingly by Cumberbatch. However I'd recommend to watch the adaptation rather than read the books; it's very true to the story line and done well. Unless it's a writing style that you overly love and connect with.