Regeneration by Pat Barker Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Regeneration
Book Review: Interesting but strange novel
Summary: 3 Stars
Pat Barker's novel "Regeneration" is an interesting account of the shell-shocked soldiers and poets of WWI. Her use of real people for the characters of the novel (Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves, Wilfred Owen, and others) adds versimilitude. She delves deeply into the meaning of the bizarre dreams and fantasies of the soldiers in a mental hospital and their reactions to their experiences in the war. The beginning of the book is strong and well written, but as it progress she tends more toward the bizarre and symbolic; particulary with Burns' condition.
This book focuses on the anti-war position of Sassoon, but I feel that "All Quiet on the Western Front" is a more successful anti-war story. This novel reeks of fiction despite the fact that she bases it on historical personages, and to some extent the horrors of the war seem manufactured, whereas in "All Quiet on the Western Front" the author experienced the war first hand and therefore his story is a much deeper account of such a fraught time in history.
I read "Regeneration" in an afternoon, and found it enjoyable, though the author's tendency towards the overly metaphorical was irritating. The best part of the book was the focus on WWI poetry and insights into the poetry through the characters in the novel.
- A.B.
Book Review: Katia's Review
Summary: 4 Stars
I found "Regeneration" by Pat Barker to be a gruesomely truthful book as it describes the traumatic events soldiers endured during the First World War. It provides horrific details of men wounded and the affects of war on their mental state of mind as well as their physical states. Barker goes into detail describing the ways in which the doctors at Craiglockhart, a mental institution in Scotland where those suffering from shell shock and other post-war illnesses are sent to recuperate and prepare themselves to possibly re-enter war, must find any way possible to cure and convince patients that fighting in the war is proving how faithful one is to their country. Siegfried Sasson, a patient at Craiglockhart who previously was a soldier who composed poems based upon what he has witnessed throughout the war, is one of Barker's main characters. He has realized that the war has moved from being based upon freedom to proving which country is the most powerful and most dominating. Dr. Rivers, the protagonist, must evaluate and diagnose patients then find cures for whatever problems war has caused for them such as shell shock. He uses different types of therapy based on the state of the patient. Sasson and Rivers develop a close relationship and eventually when Sasson returns to fighting, Rivers realizes that Sasson has greatly affected his life and his view on issues such as war. "Regeneration" focuses mostly on the consequences of war rather than the actual war itself. Those who resulted in having shell shock were especially unfortunate and "Regeneration" describes the evaluation, cures, and aftermath of it.Book Review: Lack of appreciation
Summary: 2 Stars
I read Birdsong and was stunned. WW1 came alive for me and the sheer scope of the tragedy. I couldn't wait for Pat Barker's book - WHAT A LET DOWN! I have given 2 stars because it is reasonably written, but she brings none of Faulks intrinsic understanding of the male condition under such circumstances. All in all she lacks an appreciation of what was happening at a human level. Good try, but not well done; and the trilogy won a booker?Book Review: Leaves you eager to read the next two books in the trilogy.
Summary: 4 Stars
After seeing a preview of the film version of this novel, I picked up a copy and began to read. While the story is insular--almost claustrophic--in its setting, it is nevertheless gripping. The characters, especially Dr. Rivers, are sympathetic. I'm disappointed to hear that the two succeeding novels are of lesser quality!Book Review: Miaka's Review
Summary: 3 Stars
Pat Barker's novel, Regeneration, is an interesting and unusual account of World War I. Instead of taking place in the trenches, the book is set in a mental hospital for shell-shocked soldiers. This setting not only allows Barker to explore the horrors of the war, but also the lives of the soldiers outside of the war. Her use of fascinating non-fiction characters such as Siegfried Sassoon makes the novel even more compelling. I was thoroughly engrossed by the story for the first 60 pages or so, but as the book progressed my interest began to wane. Barker's work now seemed more speculation than fact, and in some parts downright bizarre and overly metaphorical. Overall, I enjoyed the book as a work of fiction, but I believe there is other, more powerful anti-war literature which more accurately portrays the effects of war.