alysian_fields's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
extraextrareadallaboutit's review against another edition
3.0
Offering a tragic and confronting view on the outcomes of war, there is no denying that the themes covered in Regeneration make it an important book to read.
How the First World War impacted those who fought in it and the limbo so many of them found themselves in between wanting to fight and wanting to live, makes the whole notion of war seem cruel and absurd.
The stories assigned to each of these men, each horrific, makes you wonder how there can be any expectation for these soldiers to return to any kind of normalcy should they survive. Barker captured their agony in a raw, tortured and defeated way which accentuated the hopelessness of their reality. She unpacked what we now refer to as PTSD, and demanded we stare it directly the face.
I only wish we got to stay with some of the characters longer, to get to know them better, allowing us to feel for them as individuals rather than as a collective.
How the First World War impacted those who fought in it and the limbo so many of them found themselves in between wanting to fight and wanting to live, makes the whole notion of war seem cruel and absurd.
The stories assigned to each of these men, each horrific, makes you wonder how there can be any expectation for these soldiers to return to any kind of normalcy should they survive. Barker captured their agony in a raw, tortured and defeated way which accentuated the hopelessness of their reality. She unpacked what we now refer to as PTSD, and demanded we stare it directly the face.
I only wish we got to stay with some of the characters longer, to get to know them better, allowing us to feel for them as individuals rather than as a collective.
deborahrosegreen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
After reading Sassoon’s Memoirs of a Fox Hunting Man and Graves’ Goodbye to All That, I found Regeneration a fascinating, easy read. It’s “quiet” for a war novel, which makes the war seem even louder. I enjoyed the glimpse into the lives of the women and people left at home. It had a new perspective and new insights to give into a story that I’ve read over and over in WW1 literature.
carolridley's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
hannahcg's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
kibadreams's review against another edition
5.0
The sheer quality of writing itself is so visual and vivid. Absolutely amazing. Im a big Wilfred Owen fan so it was really nice to 'see' him, if that makes sense. A great read and a welcome break from all the fantasy ive been into recently.
verity1's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
xxxladystardust's review against another edition
3.0
Having read In Memoriam by Alice Winn and subsequently the poetry of Owen, Graves and especially Sassoon, I was so excited for this novel.
Sadly it didn‘t really catch me. Maybe because it‘s based on real people‘s lives and thus the author didn’t want to interpret too much but I felt it fell rather short on the emotions and thoughts these men (the women were portrayed rather more roundly imo) were bound to have experienced.
In parts the novel rather read like a play but I must say in that terms, I liked Not About Heroes better.
Maybe I‘m being unfair and have overlooked something essential? Please let me know!
Sadly it didn‘t really catch me. Maybe because it‘s based on real people‘s lives and thus the author didn’t want to interpret too much but I felt it fell rather short on the emotions and thoughts these men (the women were portrayed rather more roundly imo) were bound to have experienced.
In parts the novel rather read like a play but I must say in that terms, I liked Not About Heroes better.
Maybe I‘m being unfair and have overlooked something essential? Please let me know!
danteverill's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5