Reviews

I don’t know that I can fairly review this one. Between family visiting and the announcement of this year’s Booker longlist, I was pretty distracted. Maybe because of that or maybe because of the way the book is written or maybe because of both, I kept losing focus and felt that I was working too hard to connect the dots. There was a lot of great food-for-thought, but it wasn’t that cohesive for me. My favorite parts were the parts with Rivers.

mollyluckhurst's review against another edition

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dark reflective medium-paced

4.5

it’s only not a five because nothing will ever be regeneration, but this book blew me away. prior was always my favourite character in regeneration, and his case only becomes more fascinating, complex, and heartbreaking in this book. incredible incredible incredible

caltho's review against another edition

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3.0

cal maybe dont start a trilogy with the second book

jemmatrainor's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.25

pbobrit's review against another edition

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4.0

Number 2 of the Regeneration series, and just as good as the first. This one still deals with the same overall theme as the first, the effects of the WWI on the population and psyche of Britain. It takes a different slant from the first, in that it deals more with the situation at home. The effect of the war-driven economy on gender roles and wealth, the brutal treatment of conscientious objectors, and the way that Britain became almost like a police state during that time. Many of the old characters return and new compelling ones are added. This is one for fans of good writing, and those looking to understand that period better.

helen's review against another edition

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4.0

Confirmed: Billy Prior is a Disaster Bi

I really appreciate what Barker is doing with this trilogy. I'm on book 2 and we haven't been to the Front at all apart from in memories. This book's focus on the impact of the war on people who couldn't or wouldn't conform is really interesting and enlightening.

I enjoyed any scene with Rivers, particularly his interactions with Prior, which were prickly and funny, but I had a harder time with the

Jekyll and Hyde/fugue state plot

which was a bit on the nose and didn't really go anywhere.

Favourite line: "He heard the note of self-righteousness, and saw himself, fumbling with the fly buttons of middle-class morality."

jjarthur's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-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

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