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
tearich15's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
linthel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
portlandcat's review against another edition
5.0
I wonder what difference this book might have had if it were required reading at West Point when I was there 20 years ago. I’m a angry that I didn’t have this novel’s message before deploying.
sfletcher26's review against another edition
4.0
Following his public criticism of the way in which the First World War was being fought, Siegfried Sassoon, was sent to Craiglockhart hospital where he was treated by the Neurologist and Ethnographer W H R Rivers.
Taking this as the heart of her story, Barker tells of the treatment of those men suffering shell shock and how they tried to rebuild their lives.
Deeply affecting, beautifully written and brutal in its reality and description of the causes of Shell Shock. My only problem with the book though is the character of Billy Prior. He just never felt convincing and his story felt unreal based as it was in the reality of Craiglockhart.
Taking this as the heart of her story, Barker tells of the treatment of those men suffering shell shock and how they tried to rebuild their lives.
Deeply affecting, beautifully written and brutal in its reality and description of the causes of Shell Shock. My only problem with the book though is the character of Billy Prior. He just never felt convincing and his story felt unreal based as it was in the reality of Craiglockhart.
abickersreads's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
indy_oc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.0
marti190593's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0