Scan barcode
molsballou's review against another edition
1.0
I am flabbergasted by the positive reviews of this book. I will say that Pat Barker is obviously knowledgeable and adept at communicating the horrors of WWI. That part was very good. But that section aside it is a really not good book.
I’d have to reveal a giant spoiler to explain why, so stop reading if you’re sensitive to minor spoilers, but, like... read the first chapter and ask yourself how the plot point that unfolds in those first 12 pages has anything to do with the description you read on the back of the book. If you read to the end to find out how... you might be disappointed. Other stuff happens in the middle, sure. Some of it is compelling, even.
What doesn’t happen in the middle is effective character development.
I’d have to reveal a giant spoiler to explain why, so stop reading if you’re sensitive to minor spoilers, but, like... read the first chapter and ask yourself how the plot point that unfolds in those first 12 pages has anything to do with the description you read on the back of the book. If you read to the end to find out how... you might be disappointed. Other stuff happens in the middle, sure. Some of it is compelling, even.
What doesn’t happen in the middle is effective character development.
margaret21's review against another edition
3.0
Whilst not up there with the 'Regeneration' trilogy, this is an involving read. Toby is never present beyond the first few chapters of the book: istead it is his sister Elinor. But he is entirely central to the narrative. His confused sexual feelings, his disappearance in action (this is the First World War) in more than usually odd circumstances. All of this occupies Elinor's thoughts and actions, despite her career as an artist. It's an interesting look at the life at that time of a woman such as Elinor, and a good story too, so I'm not sure why I don't give it more stars. Maybe I'll add to this later....
doobyus's review against another edition
3.0
Very well written novel set in Pat Barker's era, WWI. Very much a thoughtful work and, as always, her historical detail is excellent. Probably not as good as some of her other books, but I enjoyed it immensely.
ddejong's review against another edition
3.0
Pat Barker is a good writer and I would really like to give her Regeneration trilogy a try. I was really interested in the historical aspect of this novel with both Henry Tonks (surgeon and artist who did war portraits) and Harold Gillies (father of plastic surgery) playing prominent roles. That said, there was some real weirdness in this book that left me feeling kind of unsettled and it's definitely not one I would recommend to others.
joenglish's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
2.0
A solid novel written in good clean prose, but it failed to hold my attention. Didn't care for the plot or the characters, and felt there were some interesting ideas that were squandered.
fionnious's review against another edition
4.0
That was... a lot. I don’t know whether I love or hate Toby. I definitely love Elinor. Fight me.
fnnbnjmnks's review against another edition
4.0
That was... a lot. I don’t know whether I love or hate Toby. I definitely love Elinor. Fight me.
nvdm's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jarichan's review against another edition
3.0
Dieses Buch ist ein weiteres schönes Beispiel für bestimmte Ideen, die deutsche Verlage haben. Auf Deutsch erschien nämlich bloss der zweite Band einer Trilogie. Den Rest braucht es ja nicht.
Doch, tut es. Denn die Autorin geht davon aus, dass man die Figuren aus Band eins kennt. Schon klar, dass ich nicht wirklich mit den Figuren klar kam. Erst dachte ich nämlich, ich hätte etwas verpasst. Hab ich ja auch - den ersten Band.
Ansonsten hätte es eine interessante Lektüre werden können. Vor allem das Thema der Kriegsmalerei wirkt faszinierend auf mich.
Aber eben, das hat man davon, eine deutsche Übersetzung zu lesen...
Doch, tut es. Denn die Autorin geht davon aus, dass man die Figuren aus Band eins kennt. Schon klar, dass ich nicht wirklich mit den Figuren klar kam. Erst dachte ich nämlich, ich hätte etwas verpasst. Hab ich ja auch - den ersten Band.
Ansonsten hätte es eine interessante Lektüre werden können. Vor allem das Thema der Kriegsmalerei wirkt faszinierend auf mich.
Aber eben, das hat man davon, eine deutsche Übersetzung zu lesen...