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kelseymckim's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for a Contemporary British Fiction class. I found it very interesting how the stories of the individual officers were contrasted with the ongoing, gradual story of Dr. Rivers's partial breakdown. I thought it was told from a very interesting perspective (an unreliable narrator).
annabrewer972's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A short but powerful book that portrays a more hidden side of war, and definitely makes you think. I like how it undeniably reads as a fictional novel yet incorporates real life characters and their experiences. Overall, an intense but enjoyable and valuable read.
iancann's review against another edition
4.0
A powerful thought provoking work on the impact of the horrors of WW1 on those living through it.
pathstotread's review against another edition
4.0
A friend gifted this to me after we visited a WWI exhibit at the Melbourne Museum. I thought it was really good, on the whole, though perhaps a bit disjointed at times.
katias's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
One of the best books in a while, wow.
oneofthosecrows's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellisollie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lilyreadsandposts's review against another edition
2.0
ok i get it this book has a lot to say and in some parts i was interested but mostly i was not. and tbh i have discovered i don't like when authors insert real people in their work and have them say whatever they want especially these poets and authors because they have a lot to say and have already said it. it kind of feels like barker has just re-arranged their memoirs and added one character of her own and made the book a digestible read of all of the real people's memoirs at once. and no i don't really care about whether sassoon's poem has a break there or there - especially when barker doesn't even mention which poem of his he's dissecting!!!!!! sorry but like no thanks this book was not for me and tbh was not even written that well so not really sure how this series has a book winning the booker... and rivers, the protagonist, is so dull i almost cried. i'm sure he was cool in real life. but not here. stfu rivers!!!! way more interested in the pov of the working class women in the novel but they were barely part of it. so great!