The Eye in the Door is the second installation of Pat Barker's acclaimed and haunting historical fiction trilogy about British soldiers traumatized by World War I trench warfare and the methods used by psychiatrist William Rivers to treat them. As with the other two, the book was recognized with awards, winning the 1993 Guardian Fiction Prize. Here, Lieutenant Billy Prior is tormented by figuring out which side of several coins does he live -- coward or hero, crazy or sane, homosexual or heterosexual, upper class or lower. He represents the upheaval in Britain during the war and the severe trauma felt by its soldiers. The writing is sparse yet multilayered; Barker uses the lives of a few to capture an entire society during a tumultuous period.
Beverly J. (Heloise) from KANSAS CITY, MO wrote on 1/21/2007...
The second in Pat Barker's wonderful World War I trilogy.
It is the spring of 1918 and the war has been dragging on for nearly four years. A vengeful public target two groups as scapegoats: pacifists and homosexuals. Dr. William Rivers treats soldiers who are suffering from shell-shock, including his most famous patient, the poet Siegfried Sassoon. An excellent book!
Vincent L. (Vince) from MARSHALL, MN wrote on 2/19/2006...
My wife read this book. Sequel to "Regeneration".
Shannon W. (mermaidfairydust) from BAKERSFIELD, CA wrote on 2/18/2006...