Journal Entry 1 by kittiwake on Wednesday, August 24, 2005

The second book in The Regeneration Trilogy.

Drawing of the history of the Pemberton Billing libel trial in which all Britain's military troubles were laid at the door of the British homosexuals, themes of persecution and prejudice are explored alongside questions of class and identity. 

Journal Entry 2 by kittiwake on Friday, August 26, 2005

I am running a Spiral Ring for the three books of "The Regeneration Trilogy" by Pat Barker and will read them myself when they return.

1 - Regeneration
2 - The Eye in the Door
3 - The Ghost Road

The running order for this spiral is:
clarrie-rose (not book 1)
perfect-circle (not book 3)
abrokenstarr
caffcaff (may not need books 2 & 3 - check before posting)
kittiwake <== book 2 is back home again
 

Journal Entry 3 by BC-08080413432 from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, September 01, 2005

Received this morning - I'm really looking forward to reading it. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 4 by BC-08080413432 from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, September 09, 2005

A very interesting and enjoyable read. It covers all kinds of things - the treatment of homosexuals in the early 20th century, class relations, shell shock, the beginnings of psychology - and although these are serious themes, parts of it are funny too. I felt I learned a lot, as I did when I read Regeneration, but in the best possible way, as nothing is laboured or forced upon the reader. It was a good story too - I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the final part of the trilogy.

On now to perfect-circle. 

Journal Entry 5 by BC-08080413432 from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, September 10, 2005

Sent to perfect-circle today. 

Journal Entry 6 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 14, 2005

arrived today. There's a couple in front of this but I won't be holding onto it for too long as I am very intrigued to see what happens next. 

Journal Entry 7 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, September 23, 2005

A very interesting read, I'm enjoying seeing where this trilogy takes me. They are serious themes but Barker writes in a way that makes me want to keep reading and learning more.

This will be off to abrokenstarr when I get her address again. Thank you Kittiwake for letting me read these two. 

Journal Entry 8 by perfect-circle at Postal Release in Postal release, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (9/27/2005 UTC) at Postal Release in Postal release, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

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posted to abrokenstarr this morning. 

Journal Entry 9 by abrokenstarr from Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, October 01, 2005

Received in the post the other day. Thanks to perfect circle for posting and kittiwake for sharing.

Have a couple of books in front of it (including book one in this series) but will get to it as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 10 by abrokenstarr from Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 30, 2005

Finally got there. Sorry it has taken so long. Anyway, I found this a little harder to get into than the first book, but once I was in to it I really enjoyed it, as much as you can enjoy a book about people who are mentally disturbed by the war. It was interesting. I'm really looking forward to reading the next one.

Have pm'ed caffcaff to see if she wants this or not, if not, should I post back to you kittiwake? 

Journal Entry 11 by abrokenstarr from Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 14, 2006

Posted back to Kittiwake second class today.

Sorry it took me so long, I'm getting worse at this at the moment. 

Journal Entry 12 by kittiwake on Tuesday, January 17, 2006

This book arrived home today and went straight back onto my TBR pile. 

Journal Entry 13 by kittiwake on Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Because his sleep was light, he knew he was dreaming, and he knew also that he had to wake up before something worse happened. He turned and saw the eye watching him, an eye not painted but very much alive. The white glittered in the moonlight. The same noise of emptiness he'd heard in France had followed him into the cell. He stared at the eye, and then, by a supreme effort of will, forced himself to sit up.

The stories of 'temporary gentleman' Billy Prior, Siegfried Sassoon and the army psychologist Rivers continue in the second part of the Regeneration trilogy, along with that of a new character, the wounded homosexual officer Charles Manning. Themes include class struggle, anti-war activists disrupting munitions production, an army doctor's attempts to balance the conflicting needs of the army and his patients, and anti-homosexual propaganda.

I'd never heard of the Black Book and the 47,000 names, the Pemberton Billings case or the attempt to kill Lloyd George, so it has increased my knowledge of the WWI period, but overall I think I preferred the first book.

Then Manning said, 'You sound almost as if you want to go back.'
'Yes, I suppose I do, in a way. It's odd, isn't it? In spite of everything - I mean in spite of Not Believing in the War and Not Having Faith in Our Generals and all that, it seems the only clean place to be.' 

Journal Entry 14 by kittiwake on Friday, January 26, 2007

The Regeneration Trilogy is on CatarinaAnna's wish list, so I am taking the first two books to tomorrow's Birmingham meet-up for her. I'll pass the third book along too once I've read it. 

Journal Entry 15 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 14, 2007

This was passed to me by Kittiwake a couple of weeks ago, to pass on to CatrinnaAnna on a Birmingham bookcrossers planned night out - however CaterinnaAnna was unable to attend in the end so I will try to pass this on to her at the next Birmingham meet up.

I wasn't going to do a JE originally but wanted to post an update. I have started reading Regeneration - so will attempt to read this one as well before I next see CaterinnaAnna.
 

Journal Entry 16 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, February 18, 2007

Although a book of very difficult themes, it is surprisingly readable, and I found it taught me quite a lot too. The are several aspects which make this a fascinating read: the treatment of homosexuals and the anti-war propaganda of the time, the Pemberton Billings case, and the supposed plot to poision Lloyd George, all of which are based on actual events, and none of which I had heard of previously. The themes of this novel, are powerfully summed up in the character of Billy Prior. I think I enjoyed Regeneration more than this one - although I'm not sure why, because this is a really good read too.

Passing on to Catherine next week at the Birmingham meet up - hopefully. 

Journal Entry 17 by Heaven-Ali at Passing to another BC-er at a meet up in Birmingham, Birmingham's OBCZ - Hudsons Coffee Shop -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 24, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (2/24/2007 UTC) at Passing to another BC-er at a meet up in Birmingham, Birmingham's OBCZ - Hudsons Coffee Shop -- Controlled Releases

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Hoefully will pass to Catherine today. 

Journal Entry 18 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Finally collected on Saturday, thanks kittiwake & Heaven-Ali 

Journal Entry 19 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 05, 2008

I can but agree with the previous journallers - one of those excellent historical novels that teaches one a lot of history without betraying the integrity of its characters and remaining enjoyable. Considering the trilogy as a whole this is pivotal in moving the relationship between Prior and Rivers to the fore, but I would also agree with previous journallers (& the editors of 1001 books ...) that it is the weakest of the three. 

Journal Entry 20 by Caterinaanna at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, July 24, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (7/18/2008 UTC) at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom

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On loan to s-i-l who jobshares with another Coventry BCer, and has a bookbox at work, and reads, so really ought to have joined by now (hint, hint). 

Journal Entry 21 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, March 14, 2009

Off on another spiral, as soon as I PM the first person on the list. The participants are:
Bibliocrates
Rrrcaron
sarradee
ChiBoiler
Pellu
Tanamo
fredam (has asked to be skipped)
KathyS and
cat207
who I hope will donate it to 1001-library. 

Journal Entry 22 by Caterinaanna at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, March 16, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (3/16/2009 UTC) at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom

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Taken to the Post Office today. 

Journal Entry 23 by Bibliocrates on Saturday, May 16, 2009

It's here in Trinity, Alabama. Thanks CaterinaAnna, wasn't expecting to get five books in one lot, will get them read and pass them on as quickly as possible!