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i_kat's review against another edition
5.0
Jaren geleden al gelezen en heeft veel indruk gemaakt. Door de herdenking van WO1 komt de herinnering aan dit boek terug. Helaas heb ik het boek (nog) niet digitaal. De papieren versie blijf ik bewaren.
jude_holmes_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5 love pat barker’s descriptions and two of the central characters made it interesting enough to read through though I probably wouldn’t pick it up again
piratequeen's review against another edition
3.0
There were parts of all three novels (this is a collected edition) that I enjoyed, and a lot that left me thinking, what is the point of this? As a meditation on war and the impact it has on the home front, it's quite good. The way the wounded men talk about their experiences on the front is chilling, and familiar; I've had enough conversations with friends who saw combat in Iraq to recognize the tone. Unfortunately, those moments of stunning writing were overshadowed by a lot of plot points that just left me disinterested. I suppose the point was that the banality of daily life continues in spite of the carnage overseas, and despite the memories of the men who lived through it. I get it. It just didn't move me.
The only reason I gave this three stars is because of the last section, and really only the final third. The description of the final days of the war, when the men preparing to fight just KNEW that they were so close to getting out alive, but likely wouldn't, was heartbreaking.
The only reason I gave this three stars is because of the last section, and really only the final third. The description of the final days of the war, when the men preparing to fight just KNEW that they were so close to getting out alive, but likely wouldn't, was heartbreaking.
muddler'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
5.0
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
hxvphaestion's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite historical fiction works to date. Characters come alive under Barker's pen, and you feel for their individual experiences.
Obviously, this won't be the most accurate portrayal of the real people she borrows. For that, check out their memories or biographies:
[b:Wilfred Owen: A New Biography|991315|Wilfred Owen A New Biography|Dominic Hibberd|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348261654l/991315._SX50_.jpg|976810]
[b:Goodbye to All That|55428|Goodbye to All That|Robert Graves|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348218570l/55428._SY75_.jpg|1701023]
[a:Siegfried Sassoon|146538|Siegfried Sassoon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1210181586p2/146538.jpg]
Obviously, this won't be the most accurate portrayal of the real people she borrows. For that, check out their memories or biographies:
[b:Wilfred Owen: A New Biography|991315|Wilfred Owen A New Biography|Dominic Hibberd|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348261654l/991315._SX50_.jpg|976810]
[b:Goodbye to All That|55428|Goodbye to All That|Robert Graves|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348218570l/55428._SY75_.jpg|1701023]
[a:Siegfried Sassoon|146538|Siegfried Sassoon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1210181586p2/146538.jpg]
sophiemundy13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rdyson's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cathepsut's review against another edition
5.0
I read these books in the late '90s, after Ghost Road was first published. I was in love with the British war poets of WWI at the time and this fit right in. I don't remember many details, but these books were great reads. Very athmospheric, accessible and captivating main characters, I suffered with them every step of the way.