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swansuponledas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, and War
Moderate: Torture, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia and Classism
thisstoryaintover's review against another edition
3.5 stars
wonderful dialogue and writing, slow in some parts, especially the second half, but the first half was great and quite captivating
wonderful dialogue and writing, slow in some parts, especially the second half, but the first half was great and quite captivating
ellie_cripps's review against another edition
2.0
This was my second attempt to read this book, and it really wasn't for me. I found Barker's interpretation of real people hard to become invested in, despite being keen on the period of history, and ultimately I found myself confused by the huge enthusiasm for the book.
itschaaarlie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
travelling_through_pages_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
dwimblim's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe this book wasn't what I was expecting, but it was a bit boring and weird. It was okay I guess.
nightwater32's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
jenjenjenmolloy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
thisisgettingstupid999's review against another edition
5.0
“Normally a cure implies that the patient will no longer engage in behaviour that is clearly self-destructive. But in present circumstances, recovery meant the resumption of activities that were not merely self-destructive but positively suicidal.”
Craiglockhart War Hospital houses and treats WW1 officers suffering from (mostly) PTSD or, (as it was know then) ‘shell-shock’. A cure could mean that the young man was sent back out to the front-line. Meanwhile, one of the patients - celebrity poet and decorated officer, Seigfried Sassoon- has publicly protested against the war and has been sent to Craiglockhart as an alternative to a court martial. It’s the job of compassionate and committed doctor, Rivers, to ‘bring him to his senses’.
Blending together the stories of real and fictional people, Barker’s novel is a powerful exploration of the themes of war and mental health, written with beauty, intelligence and emotion.
Craiglockhart War Hospital houses and treats WW1 officers suffering from (mostly) PTSD or, (as it was know then) ‘shell-shock’. A cure could mean that the young man was sent back out to the front-line. Meanwhile, one of the patients - celebrity poet and decorated officer, Seigfried Sassoon- has publicly protested against the war and has been sent to Craiglockhart as an alternative to a court martial. It’s the job of compassionate and committed doctor, Rivers, to ‘bring him to his senses’.
Blending together the stories of real and fictional people, Barker’s novel is a powerful exploration of the themes of war and mental health, written with beauty, intelligence and emotion.