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andrew_russell's review against another edition
3.0
The first thing that was apparent on commencing reading The Eye In The Door by Pat Barker was that it was quite different from its predecessor, the eponymously titled first part of the Regeneration trilogy. It dived straight into Billy Priors fringe knowledge and involvement in both the (what now seem completely outlandish) claims of MP Noel Pemberton-Billing regarding German plans to blackmail those named on a list of 47,000 British homosexuals in order to gather intelligence, as well as the alleged plot of Beatie Roper to murder Prime Minister Lloyd-George in order to bring about an end to the war. Without the historical context to put some bones around who was involved in what aspect of each of these somewhat complex stories, they did not read well at all. This was a real shame, as they formed the central tenets for the back story of this novel.
What can be said is that Barker does manage to compensate for this somewhat by capturing the seamy, seedy grit on the underside of the Home Front during the First World War, as experienced by those working in the world of Military Intelligence. Prior takes centre stage and his character, warts and all, really comes to life. All the peccadillo's, the insecurities and ultimately the mental fragilities of Prior are written honestly and in a fashion that can only be accurately described as 'real'.
As with the first instalment in the trilogy, in terms of theme, the dark and disturbing effects of time spent in the inhumane environs of the Western Front are writ large by Barker. One scene that stands out details the tragic aftermath of a soldiers plight to escape a water-filled shell hole and save himself from drowning in the muddy bog that it has become. Again, Barkers vivid writing style makes the tale seem devastatingly realistic.
Priors personality flaws, his fragmented psyche and his struggle to relate to those who are trying to throw him a lifeline to a 'normal' existence, all add considerable weight to this book but the manner in which the historical backstory is included expects too much from the reader and ultimately detracts from the work as a whole.
What can be said is that Barker does manage to compensate for this somewhat by capturing the seamy, seedy grit on the underside of the Home Front during the First World War, as experienced by those working in the world of Military Intelligence. Prior takes centre stage and his character, warts and all, really comes to life. All the peccadillo's, the insecurities and ultimately the mental fragilities of Prior are written honestly and in a fashion that can only be accurately described as 'real'.
As with the first instalment in the trilogy, in terms of theme, the dark and disturbing effects of time spent in the inhumane environs of the Western Front are writ large by Barker. One scene that stands out details the tragic aftermath of a soldiers plight to escape a water-filled shell hole and save himself from drowning in the muddy bog that it has become. Again, Barkers vivid writing style makes the tale seem devastatingly realistic.
Priors personality flaws, his fragmented psyche and his struggle to relate to those who are trying to throw him a lifeline to a 'normal' existence, all add considerable weight to this book but the manner in which the historical backstory is included expects too much from the reader and ultimately detracts from the work as a whole.
sweetmephistopheles's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tarajoy90's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
escragg92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nicoliolio's review against another edition
4.0
Everything in England is about class!! Not surprising but it does have an impact on literally everything and everyone in so many ways!
eunicek82's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I don’t know that I can fairly review this one. Between family visiting and the announcement of this year’s Booker longlist, I was pretty distracted. Maybe because of that or maybe because of the way the book is written or maybe because of both, I kept losing focus and felt that I was working too hard to connect the dots. There was a lot of great food-for-thought, but it wasn’t that cohesive for me. My favorite parts were the parts with Rivers.
mollyluckhurst's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
it’s only not a five because nothing will ever be regeneration, but this book blew me away. prior was always my favourite character in regeneration, and his case only becomes more fascinating, complex, and heartbreaking in this book. incredible incredible incredible
pbobrit's review against another edition
4.0
Number 2 of the Regeneration series, and just as good as the first. This one still deals with the same overall theme as the first, the effects of the WWI on the population and psyche of Britain. It takes a different slant from the first, in that it deals more with the situation at home. The effect of the war-driven economy on gender roles and wealth, the brutal treatment of conscientious objectors, and the way that Britain became almost like a police state during that time. Many of the old characters return and new compelling ones are added. This is one for fans of good writing, and those looking to understand that period better.