Stephanie Jane reviewed The ghost road by Pat Barker (The regeneration trilogy -- 3)
Superb understanding of the characters
4 stars
I swept on into reading The Ghost Road straight after finishing the second of the trilogy, The Eye In The Door, because I was so keen to remain in the compelling world Barker portrays throughout the trilogy. In hindsight, I wonder if actually leaving a short refreshment gap between the novels, as I had done between Regeneration and The Eye In The Door, might have been a better idea. I can't put my finger exactly on what the problem was, but I was a little disappointed to find that The Ghost Road didn't grip me in the same way. Don't get me wrong, I still think this is a good novel, but it just didn't feel as amazing.
There are three strands to the story, each one woven around the theme of death and our perceptions of it. Dr Rivers is trying to come to terms with curing men only …
I swept on into reading The Ghost Road straight after finishing the second of the trilogy, The Eye In The Door, because I was so keen to remain in the compelling world Barker portrays throughout the trilogy. In hindsight, I wonder if actually leaving a short refreshment gap between the novels, as I had done between Regeneration and The Eye In The Door, might have been a better idea. I can't put my finger exactly on what the problem was, but I was a little disappointed to find that The Ghost Road didn't grip me in the same way. Don't get me wrong, I still think this is a good novel, but it just didn't feel as amazing.
There are three strands to the story, each one woven around the theme of death and our perceptions of it. Dr Rivers is trying to come to terms with curing men only for them to be sent back to the Front. He is also remembering his studies of a native people in Melanesia before the war, particularly their end of life beliefs and rituals which, as he dreams the scenarios he witnessed, seem far more compassionate and humane than the mechanised slaughter of Europe. And Billy Prior continues shagging his way around London, becoming more and more reckless towards his personal safety as his time to be shipped back to France approaches.
Barker's understanding of her characters and their motivations remains superb and I liked the way she captures the seemingly endless waiting the soldiers endure in France. Through the whole book though, I had the sensation that it had all gone on too long and, for the War itself of course, that was very true. Rumours of the impending Armistice are whispered up and down the lines despite the Generals' best efforts, but still the soldiers wait and fight, kill and die.
