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A review by m_j_webb
Regeneration by Pat Barker
5.0
This was a real departure for me from my usual reading matter, though I've always held a fascination for the First World War. It's not an easy book to read as it's full of psychological terms and explanations, but it's handled in a sympathetic way and the story runs continuously throughout. It's main appeal for me is that you can easily put yourself in River's mind; the man who has to identify the young soldier's illness, 'cure' them, and then send them back to the front to probably be killed.
It's a tale that had to be told and all these young men are heroes, none more so than Sassoon who not only had the extreme gallantry and courage to be a real leader of men, but also had the conviction to speak out against the top brass and their conduct of the war. Owen, the shy, stammering young man who died a week before the armistace whilst storming a machine gun nest, sums up the heroism and tragedy.
This is a novel that will live in my memory for a long time.
It's a tale that had to be told and all these young men are heroes, none more so than Sassoon who not only had the extreme gallantry and courage to be a real leader of men, but also had the conviction to speak out against the top brass and their conduct of the war. Owen, the shy, stammering young man who died a week before the armistace whilst storming a machine gun nest, sums up the heroism and tragedy.
This is a novel that will live in my memory for a long time.