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becca_j's review against another edition
3.0
Grade B--I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as Regeneration. Pryor is not an appealing character and the early parts of the book suffered having him as the main character. Once Rivers appears the book improves substantially. Still, this is a well written, thought provoking book that casts a interesting light on World War I.
nattly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sophiemundy13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and War
sheamussweeney's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jennyhyam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
casbah's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable, if you were really, really into the first novel/Billy Prior (which I was.) Otherwise, I don't think you'd be very interested. It carries on with the anti-war theme but also expands on something Barker hinted at in Regeneration -- the experience of homosexuality/bisexuality during that time. I quite like it, but I really do think that if I wasn't so smitten with Regeneration, I'd have been bored. It is a nice reread too. I read it first when I was much younger and it's even better now.
minsies's review against another edition
1.0
(Dug review out of the depths of LiveJournal.)
[This and The Ghost Road] are very disappointing. I think the difference is the amount of space devoted to Prior in these last two. He is an interesting character in the first book, especially as he stands in contrast to all the actual, historical characters, but when he's taken away from most of them, he loses all of that. And then there's Rivers's time with the natives, which is tedious.
[This and The Ghost Road] are very disappointing. I think the difference is the amount of space devoted to Prior in these last two. He is an interesting character in the first book, especially as he stands in contrast to all the actual, historical characters, but when he's taken away from most of them, he loses all of that. And then there's Rivers's time with the natives, which is tedious.
lennartvn's review against another edition
4.0
So much to say about this book, or this trilogy in its entirety. A beautifully crafted story of pre- and post-war trauma, masculinity and male relationships. Highly recommended.