The Eye in the Door (Regeneration Trilogy Book 2)

i really enjoy Pat Barker. This trilogy is very powerful. The reason I gave it 3 stars is due I assume to a printing error. The last page (in the book } ends in mid sentence .No .period, Is the actual last page missing ? I don't know.irritating ? Yes. As the middle book of this Trilogy I have pretty good idea of the story.How many copies are this way. Who Knows,

In Pat Barker's sequel to  Regeneration , Billy Prior is the primary focus of the story rather than Sigfried Sassoon. This change of focus allows her to manipulate, examine and critique a wider number of issues: social class (Prior is of working-class origins, but can "pass" for a gentleman), of sexuality (he is enthusiastically bi-sexual), and of course the morality of war, as Prior is treated by Army psychiastrist Dr. Rivers who continues to wrestle with the ethical delimna of "curing" the shell-shocked only to return them to the hellish situation that created their nuroses in the first place.In _Eye in the Door_ we get a stronger sense of who Dr. Rivers is (the character is loosely based on a real-life psychiatrist), but the primary focus of the story is Prior - a charming character with a wickedly sharp mind and a cynical outlook, the setting more in London than Craiglockhart hospital. As much as I liked Prior, I much preferred the back-and-forth between Sasson and Rivers that is such a crucial part of _Regeneration_. However, its not the characters that make this such a tremendous book (and such a powerful series), its Barker's social commentary: the waste of life in a pointless conflict; the place and role of women as objects - for sex and for labor asmunitions workers; of the differing attitudes towards (and between) social class. This is the real heart of the story. The glaring light under which Barker shows the inconsistencies and prejustices of the last century and her sharp critique of early 20th century British society earns the book five-stars.

While Regeneration was amazing, each book in the trilogy succeeds in its own way and I truly can't say which I liked the most. Pat Barker is one of the finest writers I have read in years, and I have read most of the classics, and most of the top literary books of the time. It is important to enjoy the British voice which is understated with a quiet dry humor and lots of subtext. The historical accuracy is impressive. I am a fan of the Brits but if you are not, and prefer Russian novels stylistically instead, then this book may not be for you. I had been warned that the WWI stuff was depressing to read, but I did not find this trilogy depressing in any way. The strength of the human spirit and the courage of the British was inspiring to read and Rivers is a character I wish I could have known in real life. Start with Regeneration before reading this book. You will be in for a great treat. Great on the Kindle/ipad because the online dictionary is handy and adds to the reading.

The trilogy is the best depiction of the impact of trench warfare on the British office/poofter class I've read. The series strength lies in the use of detailed, insightful psychological analysis conducted by the real life Dr. W. H. R. Rivers and the inter-relation between the various patents and Rivers' own mental states. Particularly moving and prominent in this book, is Rivers' fight against barbaric methods of treatment popular at the time.

Beautifully written, poignant and horrific. Startling today to think what madness unconstrained patriotism can evoke. It is almost certain a similar book could have been written about the other side.

Recommended to those enjoyed the somewhat excellent book in this series (of three): “Regeneration” being the first and best book. . The characters, their poetry, the hospital, Dr Weeks and The Great War really existed.

This is an incredible portrait of soldiers trying to survive the emotional wounds of World War One. Part of the Regeneration Trilogy. A phenomenal trio of books.

All books in this trilogy are excellent and I learned things about the first World War that I had never heard of.

Deeply insightful of man's consistent in-consistency

All three books of the regeneration trilogy (of which this is the second) are the best things I have read for a very long time. Pat Barker has this gift of making you want to read on, long after you know you should have been asleep. Also you learn you can trust her: she is describing some appalling things but manages to do so in such a way that you grasp the essence of the experience without vomiting or even being thoroughly upset. With it all there is an amazing sense of wisdom behind it all, much of this due to the character of Dr. Rivers, whose deep compassion and humanity manages to pervade all three books. I defy anyone not to learn from these books, not to be a better person after reading them. Pat Barker is a genius. The writing is simple, straightforward, without tricks or vanity, it just rings true. And it is so interesting you just cannot put it down

This novel continues the stories of Billy Prior and W. H. R. Rivers, who figure prominently in Pat Barker's previous novel of the first world war, 'Regeneration', and covers much of the same ground - hysterical symptoms, sexual oppression and so on. It's an engaging story and, like 'Regeneration', augments historical realities with imagined internal experiences.

Enjoyed this book .Pat Barker

Prompt service and a good price for an attractive edition. I was replacing an older edition and the story is one that can be read and re-read and I will keep rather than lend but I recommend to any one who is interested in character driven novels.