Reflective and harrowing, I really enjoyed Rivers’ narrative, Prior’s relatively happy ending with Sarah and the interaction between Sassoon and Owen. Although a short book, it took me some time to get through, such is the writing style.

perhaps my first (?) world war one, but certainly not my last. i thought this book had excellent pacing--it meandered and slowed when necessary but kept an engaging pace throughout. i was surprised to learn that prior was the trilogy's main character, as rivers and sassoon felt more central to the story. anyways, i know i always joke about needing to diversify my literary chocies by reading more male authors, but there really was value in this uniquely masculine book set atop the backdrop of trench warfare. pat barker writes men as well as todd haynes writes women, and that is HIGH praise.

 "any explanation of war neurosis must account for the fact that this apparently intense masculine life of war and danger and hardship produced in men the same disorders that women suffered from in peace."

"the road smelled of hot tar, moths flickered between the trees, and when at last, turning up the drive into craiglockhart, he stopped and threw back his head, the stars burst on his upturned face like spray."

"after all, in war, you've got this enormous emphasis on love between men--comradeship--and everybody approves. but at the same time there's always this little niggle of anxiety. is it the right kind of love?"

What a fantastic read!
I would have given it 5/5 if it wasn’t for one chapter I struggled to get into