In Craiglockhart war hospital, Doctor William Rivers attempts to restore the sanity of officers from World War I. When Siegfried Sassoon publishes his declaration of protest against the war, the authorities decide to have him declared mentally defective and send him to Craiglockhart.
Regeneration (Regeneration Trilogy)
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A brilliant novel. Intense and subtle (Peter Kemp Sunday Times )
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
From the Back Cover
Craiglockhart, a hospital for officers ravaged by their experiences in trench warfare, is the setting for Pat Barker's 'Regeneration'. Here the poet Siegfried Sassoon, author of an article condemning the war, came under the care of psychiatrist W.H.R Rivers whose duty, as he saw it, was to return Sassoon to all the horrors of the Front, because Sassoon was sane, was healthy – and he had made a commitment. But while the encounter of Sassoon and Rivers is central to 'Regeneration', it is the exploration of the character of Rivers himself, the agony of the other patients and the insights into their minds, that makes this a tour-de-force. A superb novel related with chilling clarity and vivid compassion.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Though often mentioned alongside the likes of Faulks's Birdsong and Susan Hill's Strange Meeting, Regeneration does not exactly come up to the 'regular' qualification of a war novel. Instead, what novelist Pat Barker sets out to attain is to trace the mental paralysis the war leaves in man's mind as well as exploring the courageous, though mostly inept, ways for all those involved, to cope.
As a psychiatrist at Craiglockhart Hospital, psychiatrist W.H. Rivers, a historically authentic character and a kind-hearted, get-at-able, even noble person, faces up to the impossible task to try and free his inmates-patients from the war demons that do not cease to haunt their minds.
In this process he gets involved in their regeneration process at a personal level as they grow able to express the horrors that have incapacitated them psychologically.
Barker follows the treatment undergone by war poet Siegfried Sassoon (aka Mad Jack) upon his arrival at Craiglockhart after throwing his brave conduct medal into the river Mersey and publishing his notorious anti-war statement in the Times.
Another riveting feature of the book is when Sassoon meets young Wilfred Owen and encourages the young poet in his writing aspirations.
In Regeneration, admittedly, the war merely serves as an undercurrent; but Barker succeeds admirably in turning it into a dramatic device to explore the complex issues she sets forth to clarify.
Being a doctor, Rivers' job is to preserve life. However, in just doing this, he ends up getting the men back on their feet again so they are ready to go back to the front (to get killed there just the same).
For Sassoon, Owen and the other soldier-patients, an important crux is the guilt complex which, given the emotional closeness between the fellow-soldiers in the trenches, almost forces the chaps to return to the front; to them it is the only way by which to avert the threat of mental destruction by guilt.
This dilemma is just what makes novels like these so worth one's while: even while physically on the safe side, the soldiers remain damned and doomed. What, indeed, are their chances of survival if and when they go back to the trenches?
A worthy testimony and a valuable read.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By D. Glowacki
Format:Paperback
An interesting,introverted book,based on Dr Rivers study of some of his more famous clients.It's wonderfully written,and Barkers characters ooze,a moody,intellectual,introverted mind set.The tone of the book has a nice sepia,style to it,and the sadness of war and pointless death is always there.This is a book for people who like the physchological side of WW1 and all of it's dilemmas,rather than the actual gun fight in the trenches.Barker concentrates on understatement and introspection to bring the book,and it's characters to life.This will become a "classic" of it's genre in the fullness of time
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
One of the most impressive books I have read in ages. A worthy Booker Prize winner. What impressed me the most was the subject matter and how it was handled. On the surface the "shrink" sessions of a First World War poet does not seem to be a far reaching let alone interesting subject for a novel. However, I was utterly engrossed by the story of the rehabilitation of not just Sassoon but all the other "inmates" of Craiglockhart as well. The anti war message is very clear and well argued from the author's point of view and in retrospect Sassoon was quite right. The sadness of the stories from the Front, the breakdowns and the attitude of the government and military are impressively recreated, as unfortunately are the methods of some other military hospitals. The appearance of Wilfred Owen should inspire readers to try his poetry, it is wonderful, honest and heartbreaking. All the waste of war, yards of mud for thousands of lives are here. Lest we forget, this is indeed an important work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Regeneration
Very interesting characters and I learned a lot about the war - I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in the real suffering caused by a very stupid war.
Published 7 days ago by lindsey evans
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very interesting read
I am finding it informative as well as revealing. The accepted medical ideas of the day are surprising as well as the ideas expressed by the soldiers at the hospital. Read more
Published 1 month ago by guy wells
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Great book, well worth a read. Needed this for my English Literature A level, so happy I am happy to have studied this.
Published 1 month ago by Sharfa Sorwar
3.0 out of 5 stars
Condition of book
The book itself is what I wanted but the condition is not very good. It says that annotated books are not sold but this one is. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rosemary Daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful
A tough read but well worth the effort. Beautifully crafted book. It bears particular relevance to the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan today.
Published 2 months ago by H. J. Orrom
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sad, but Wonderful
Not an easy, nor cheerful read - but this is a story of bravery and strength, based on the life of an extraordinary man. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lily
5.0 out of 5 stars
What would happen if they gave a war...
...and no one came?
This book is the first in Pat Barker's trilogy on World War I. It was nominated for, but did not win the Booker Prize. Read more
This book is the first in Pat Barker's trilogy on World War I. It was nominated for, but did not win the Booker Prize. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John P. Jones III
4.0 out of 5 stars
Relevant Regeneration
A book that must be read as part of the Great War library. Have waited some time to read this first novel of the highly acclaimed trilogy and it was worth the wait. Read more
Published 4 months ago by nickyb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant book.
Do read this fantastic book.It deals with all kinds of aspects of the 1st World War that you may never have thought about. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Molly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written and original.
Terrific read. This is the second time I read it and enjoyed it just as much. Food for thought indeed.
Published 4 months ago by rock maker
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