abidoodle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
This book was pretty average. I appreciate some of the comments it makes about society but I also feel like nothing happened in it at the same time. There were some things that were confusing, but it was also very intriguing and kept my interest pretty well. If I had access to the other books I think I would continue the series. It was quite intense at times so I’d recommend being aware of any possible trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Torture, and Homophobia
Minor: Violence
anitaxlit's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Picking this up I expected to simply enjoy some content about Siegfried Sassoon —a character that's fascinated me for years— and I was delighted to find that Regeneration offers so much more. Its reflections on the horrors of trench warfare, doctor-patient relationships and the changing views on masculinity at the time are insightful, sensitive and emotional.
The author doesn't always state what she wants to say plainly: instead she takes you on a journey with the characters, and with subtle allusions and clever dialogue guides you to develop the same ideas as them. But Barker is direct and raw where it counts, and I was truly shaken by some of the soldier's descriptions of life in the trenches.
On a lighter note, I enjoyed seeing Wilfred Owen here. His few interactions with Sassoon are a welcome reprieve from the despair governing the lives of the other characters, and I loved the scene where they work on "Anthem for Doomed Youth".
"What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
— Only the monstrous anger of the guns."
The author doesn't always state what she wants to say plainly: instead she takes you on a journey with the characters, and with subtle allusions and clever dialogue guides you to develop the same ideas as them. But Barker is direct and raw where it counts, and I was truly shaken by some of the soldier's descriptions of life in the trenches.
On a lighter note, I enjoyed seeing Wilfred Owen here. His few interactions with Sassoon are a welcome reprieve from the despair governing the lives of the other characters, and I loved the scene where they work on "Anthem for Doomed Youth".
"What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
— Only the monstrous anger of the guns."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit and Suicidal thoughts
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