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michaelsbirthday's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
I first read Regeneration and The Eye in the Door at A Level for a module on WW1 literature, and Regeneration stood out as my favourite fiction piece from the handful we read. The characters, Barker's unique, engaging and readable style and the sensitivity and insight with which she handled a number of challenging, emotional and thought-provoking topics drew me in in ways in which other fiction about this period (namely Sebastian Faulks's Birdsong, a book I didn't enjoy) did not.
About 7 years later, I have just finished reading the entire trilogy -- something that I didn't manage previously. Regeneration and the final book, The Ghost Road, are the standout achievements of the trilogy. The Eye in the Door rather suffers from middle-book-syndrome: it's a suitable bridge between the two ends of the trilogy, but it is slow-moving and the developments feel less critical, less interesting.
The characters are the focus of the trilogy, and it is in them and their relationships that the novels really shine; they are complex, contradictory, unsure of themselves, unsure of each other, loving, withdrawing and all helplessly constrained by both the War and Edwardian society at large. As a fan of historical and character-driven novels, I would say the trilogy is a must-read.
About 7 years later, I have just finished reading the entire trilogy -- something that I didn't manage previously. Regeneration and the final book, The Ghost Road, are the standout achievements of the trilogy. The Eye in the Door rather suffers from middle-book-syndrome: it's a suitable bridge between the two ends of the trilogy, but it is slow-moving and the developments feel less critical, less interesting.
The characters are the focus of the trilogy, and it is in them and their relationships that the novels really shine; they are complex, contradictory, unsure of themselves, unsure of each other, loving, withdrawing and all helplessly constrained by both the War and Edwardian society at large. As a fan of historical and character-driven novels, I would say the trilogy is a must-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Violence, War, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Colonisation, Pedophilia, and Sexual violence
Minor: Homophobia
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