Reviews

The Eye In The Door by Pat Barker

helen's review against another edition

4.0

Confirmed: Billy Prior is a Disaster Bi

I really appreciate what Barker is doing with this trilogy. I'm on book 2 and we haven't been to the Front at all apart from in memories. This book's focus on the impact of the war on people who couldn't or wouldn't conform is really interesting and enlightening.

I enjoyed any scene with Rivers, particularly his interactions with Prior, which were prickly and funny, but I had a harder time with the

Jekyll and Hyde/fugue state plot

which was a bit on the nose and didn't really go anywhere.

Favourite line: "He heard the note of self-righteousness, and saw himself, fumbling with the fly buttons of middle-class morality." 

jjarthur's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-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

3.5

amaryllis93's review against another edition

4.0

I didn't enjoy it as much as Regeneration but still a brilliantly written book, really looking forward to reading the Ghost Road now.

smemmott's review against another edition

4.0

My favorite of the Regeneration trilogy. Billy Prior is a fabulous, real, vivid, character.

noteventherain's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

nagarage's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

thelaurasaurus's review against another edition

5.0

Continuing one of the threads from Regeneration, this book mostly follows Billy Prior, a working class officer who now works for the Ministry of Munitions in London, and his psychologist, Dr Rivers, as they struggle to come to terms with the lasting effect of WWI on their lives. A fascinating blend of fact and fiction.

sar_p's review against another edition

4.0

Unlike Regeneration, The Eye in the Door focuses more on the fictional character of Billy Prior. Though the elements of trauma are still prominent, book 2 of the trilogy delves into the "problems" of the pacifists and "sodomites." Barker shows us a fact of war that we all have seen: when it becomes harder to justify the war, a scapegoat can always be found. It's really interesting discovering England's use of the "sodomite" scapegoat, because it's not something I remember reading in history books. Reading this series has a taught me a great deal on World War I and I cannot wait to see how this series ends.

smallwifery's review against another edition

5.0

I've read this three times and I always forget how horny it is. thank you patricia for my life

update: cried from chapter 17 until the end of the book at absolutely everything sass and rivers said to each other. I am coping just fine with the pandemic thank you

jesswebber02's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0