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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Ok. Where to begin? Let me start by saying that this book wasn't horrible. I didn't absolutely hate it, but as you can probably tell from the 2/10 rating, I didn't really like it either.
The thing is, when I read the synopsis on the back, I was really excited about this book. It's one that I have to study for my final essay for uni, but beyond that, I actually really wanted to read it. The story sounded really interesting, and exactly like the kind of thing I thought I would enjoy. Then I started reading it, and although I was getting through it pretty quickly. I just wasn't enjoying it.
One of my major issues with this book, was that I never really felt like I got to know the characters. Now, I'm well aware that this could very well be because it's the third in a series, and because this book was assigned to me for uni, I hadn't read, or heard of, the others. So I wasn't familiar with the story or the characters. However, I felt like, since this particular book was a set text and the other two weren't required reading, that I should be able to read this as a standalone, and the thing is, it was kind of written like one.
Everything was introduced, and laid out as if it were a standalone novel. I just didn't really feel as thought I knew the characters.
There were moments that I did like. The deeper looks into wartime life, and the effects of war on those who survived. There were some passages that were really interesting and held my attention.
On the whole though, I found myself having to force myself to keep reading, and it's not because the writing style was bad, it was written well, just for me, I didn't enjoy the story.
The thing is, when I read the synopsis on the back, I was really excited about this book. It's one that I have to study for my final essay for uni, but beyond that, I actually really wanted to read it. The story sounded really interesting, and exactly like the kind of thing I thought I would enjoy. Then I started reading it, and although I was getting through it pretty quickly. I just wasn't enjoying it.
One of my major issues with this book, was that I never really felt like I got to know the characters. Now, I'm well aware that this could very well be because it's the third in a series, and because this book was assigned to me for uni, I hadn't read, or heard of, the others. So I wasn't familiar with the story or the characters. However, I felt like, since this particular book was a set text and the other two weren't required reading, that I should be able to read this as a standalone, and the thing is, it was kind of written like one.
Everything was introduced, and laid out as if it were a standalone novel. I just didn't really feel as thought I knew the characters.
There were moments that I did like. The deeper looks into wartime life, and the effects of war on those who survived. There were some passages that were really interesting and held my attention.
On the whole though, I found myself having to force myself to keep reading, and it's not because the writing style was bad, it was written well, just for me, I didn't enjoy the story.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ghost Road and the whole Regeneration trilogy is a powerful exploration of the brutality and pity of WW1 and possible relationships between fictional and real characters alongside themes of class, sexuality and cultures. War between nations is the foundation of the book, but war between individuals and within individuals is also examined. Cannot praise these books too much.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually cannot progress with this book. I don't know why, I tried but I got to the point (43% in) where I couldn't understand what I was reading. Weird.
Abandoned ship. I want to read the trilogy from book 1 in the hope I'll have better understanding,
Abandoned ship. I want to read the trilogy from book 1 in the hope I'll have better understanding,
As I moved through this book I alternated between loving it and hating it. I loved the sections from William Rivers' perspective. This real person, a renowned British anthropologist, lived amongst Melanesian head-hunters before the war. As he tries to treat shell-shocked and disfigured soldiers, his past experiences with these tribal peoples come to the forefront of his mind, and he draws such interesting parallels between their death customs and the constant death around him. I believe these sections are what make The Ghost Road worthy of the Booker Prize and other honors bestowed on it.
On the other hand, I absolutely hated many of the sections focusing on fictional Billy Prior, mostly because he is a repugnant human. Through his eyes, and that of the much more likable real-life poet Wilfred Owen, we see life in the trenches and on the battlefield. Unfortunately we also get Prior's thoughts on sexual perversion (he is actively bi-sexual), and in general a crude perspective on life. I definitely could have done without that, and scanned over his nastier bits.
I thought the ending was masterfully done, really quite beautiful though tragic. So overall I give this book 4 stars, even though I can't really recommend it. Why is it that so much award-winning literature is anything but uplifting?
On the other hand, I absolutely hated many of the sections focusing on fictional Billy Prior, mostly because he is a repugnant human. Through his eyes, and that of the much more likable real-life poet Wilfred Owen, we see life in the trenches and on the battlefield. Unfortunately we also get Prior's thoughts on sexual perversion (he is actively bi-sexual), and in general a crude perspective on life. I definitely could have done without that, and scanned over his nastier bits.
I thought the ending was masterfully done, really quite beautiful though tragic. So overall I give this book 4 stars, even though I can't really recommend it. Why is it that so much award-winning literature is anything but uplifting?