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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This book was recommended to me as a finely written book dealing with trauma and its aftereffects, as well as possible treatments. As my own writing deals with these issues, it was suggested to me that I might study Pat Barker’s methods. I liked the book, and, indeed, found it a useful source of good writing about this complex issue. The book also, however, weaves together fiction and historical fact, drawing on the lives of two poets who wrote about the turmoil of the First World War, Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfrid Owen, and who were treated at the psychiatric hospital where most of the novel takes place. Sassoon was also a source of inspiration for Sri Aurobindo, another writer I have been reading, and so Barker’s book acts as a kind of signpost for many of my current reading efforts. I also looked up the film that was made several years ago based on the story. It was a Canadian-Scottish production, and was quite faithful to the novel, and helped fill out the descriptions the author herself provided for the novel. Worth reading.
challenging
dark
informative
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
OOOOOOHGHHH. OH. REMINDER TO FUTURE ME TO READ THIS BACK TO BACK W EQUUS
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
wilfred owen and siegfried sassoon were totally together and no one could ever convince me otherwise.
I really enjoyed this book but enjoyed Prior's character a lot more than Sassoon. It felt more authentic, less "researched," when Barker invented her own character rather than relying on a historical character.