Janet Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 Regeneration by Pat Barker Regeneration by Pat Barker The Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polka Dot Rock Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Hmm... That's interesting, Janet. I know what you mean about feeling ambivalent about a book, it's sometimes worse than disliking it! I picked up Regeneration last night, although its far too soon to form an opinion on it, I'll be intrigued how I feel when I finish it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted July 9, 2007 Author Share Posted July 9, 2007 I think that it's one of those books that needs to be read and digested before a proper opinion can be formed of it, and having given it some time and thought, I've decided that I did enjoy it - it's just a very different type of book from that which I normally read. Perhaps it needs the whole trilogy to be read to fully appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samgrosser Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I'd never heard of Pat Barker until recently - she's had quite a lot publicity because she's got a new novel just out. I picked up Regeneration at a charity shop the other day and when I eventually finish Vanity Fair (loving it, but short, it ain't), I was planning to read it next. Interestingly, a couple of people have mentioned her to me in the last few days as well worth reading. Bagpuss - will you have to read the whole trilogy as part of your course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted July 9, 2007 Author Share Posted July 9, 2007 Bagpuss - will you have to read the whole trilogy as part of your course? It's recommended reading - the syllabus says: Unit 6: Synoptic unit The requirement here is that you should read widely on literature of and about World War l. It may be possible to link this reading with the requirements of Unit 5. There are no specific recommended texts for this paper. Here is a selection of the wide range of material available: Birdsong Faulks Journey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Bagpuss - I know that this off topic, and I won't commit this sin again, but my cat Teazle just loves your waving avator. Being partially sighted due to cataracts and diabetes she doesn't always see things - but you've made an old girl happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 Bagpuss - I know that this off topic, and I won't commit this sin again, but my cat Teazle just loves your waving avator. Being partially sighted due to cataracts and diabetes she doesn't always see things - but you've made an old girl happy Awww that's lovely - it's made my morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samgrosser Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I hope it does go ahead - I think only 3 of us from AS are intersted, but if it doesn't then I can't get a full A Level, which will be a real shame. (This assumes I get a pass at AS!). I really hope you get to do your full A level. What will happen if they don't offer it? Will you have to do other subjects instead? btw, what a great selection of texts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 I really hope you get to do your full A level. What will happen if they don't offer it? Will you have to do other subjects instead? btw, what a great selection of texts. I doubt it. I think I'm running out of options! Over the last few years I've done GCSE Maths, GCSE Psychology, AS Level Psychology, GCSE English Language and AS Level English Lit. It's very hard finding day-time courses and with my husband's hours of work being irregular it's hard to commit to an evening class because of the children. I agree, the texts listed are great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samgrosser Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Well, good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samgrosser Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 Just wanted to say that I gave up on Vanity Fair (too many characters called Crawley, too confusing) and read Regeneration. What can I say? I thought it was the best thing I've read in ages - warm, intelligent, insightful, absorbing ... I've just got parts 2 & 3 of the trilogy from the library and have just started on The Eye of the Door. I'm not sure I'm going to like it as much but it's early days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 I am currently doing A-Level English Literature, and we are studying this book along with the play Journey's End for coursework. There are approxamitly 25 of us in the class, and only me, one othet person and my teacher actually enjoy the book! When I first read it, I thought it was incrediable, and I couldn't understand how the rest of the class disliked it! You really get to see into the characters minds; and the omniscient narrator allows you to be any of the characters you want when you're reading it. My favourite character is definatly Billy Prior, a character which Pat Barker impressively captures to pronounce his characters voice and moods. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, as I would definatly say it is one of the most impressive novels I have read in recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted October 8, 2008 Author Share Posted October 8, 2008 (edited) I'd forgotten about this thread. When I read it (July 2007) I said I felt ambivalent about it and gave it 5/10, but having studied it a bit closer for A level (I didn't get round to parts 2 or 3 but still intend to read them at some stage) I decided that it was actually quite good! Good luck with your A level, Suzanne. For the WW1 poetry, I bought this CD of poetry from the Great War. I don't know whether you are an auditory learner, but it certainly helped me so I'd definitely recommend it. What other texts are you doing? Edited October 8, 2008 by Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergran71 Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I doubt it. I think I'm running out of options! Over the last few years I've done GCSE Maths, GCSE Psychology, AS Level Psychology, GCSE English Language and AS Level English Lit. It's very hard finding day-time courses and with my husband's hours of work being irregular it's hard to commit to an evening class because of the children. I agree, the texts listed are great! It seems to be the OU would be perfect for you Janet. There is an OU Open Learning site you might like to visit. http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiceguyEddie Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Coincidentally, I did recently get a lot of copies of this on CD read by Paul McGann, but abridged unfortunately. But I did see this when studying A' level English. Set at Craiglockhart. Like most 18/19 year old boys studying English, the war poets held more interest than Gerard Manley Hopkins. I still very occasionally get out my Wilfred Owen Collection. It has some plates of his original drafts (mis spelt draughts in the case of I think Anthem for Doomed Youth which is referenced in the above play.) which are interesting to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Last year at school, I read Spies by Micheal Frayn. I didn't think it was that good, and id give it about 4/10. It's quite weird actually because most of my class enjoyed Spies, whereas I didn't. But, this year, I really enjoy Regeneration, and most of the class don't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 It seems to be the OU would be perfect for you Janet. There is an OU Open Learning site you might like to visit. http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php Oooo - thanks for the link, Ann - it looks great. I've thought about OU but it's so expensive that it's out of the question at the moment. I've had a good look at history on that link and there is some interesting stuff, although there is clearly a Scottish bias so I guess perhaps this started out as a Scottish venture? Not that it matters - I'm happy to study Scottish poets/history - it's all interesting, after all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergran71 Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Oooo - thanks for the link, Ann - it looks great. I've thought about OU but it's so expensive that it's out of the question at the moment. I've had a good look at history on that link and there is some interesting stuff, although there is clearly a Scottish bias so I guess perhaps this started out as a Scottish venture? Not that it matters - I'm happy to study Scottish poets/history - it's all interesting, after all! When I did the OU courses in the 80s, I was able to get a bursary from the local council and they paid all my fees. Its worth a try I think. Its interesting what you said about the perceived Scottish bias, I have only browsed through after I registered and didnt notice it. I am more likely to concentrate on the Science and Nature subjects. It may all be above my head now though . The U3A have suggested the Open Learning to members with a view to forming groups of like minded people (in terms of subjects) to discuss and work together on projects. I thought this was a really good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I've thought about OU but it's so expensive that it's out of the question at the moment. I agree the courses are a lot of money - are you aware that you can use Tesco vouchers to pay for them using the Megadeals? I know when I studied with them I did the budget scheme and paid monthly. I want to do the French diploma but at well over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 For anyone who lives within reasonable travel distance of London I would heartily recommend Birkbeck College - part of the University of London specialising in adult education. I attend just once a week for a seminar but get full use of their excellent library and other facilities and a better relationship with other students than you get from distance learning. The teaching is great. And since I'm also rather cheekily using my very first post to make recommendations, I would also urge anyone who's enjoyed Regeneration to continue with the other two books in the trilogy - the closing sequence of the final one, when the action shifts for the first time to the front line in France is one of the most moving things I have ever read - mainly because of all that has gone before. Lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Im re-reading Regeneration now in preperation for my coursework question about it being an anti-war novel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rach.at.the.disco Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I plan on reading this within the next couple of months - I'm going to be studying it at uni next semester. Not too sure if I'm going to enjoy it though, looking at the blurb it's not my kind of book but I have to deal with the consequences of being an English student . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 It hasn't got a lot of action in it as its more just about the characters thoughts but I really enjoyed that aspect of it because it made a change from what iv read before Try it though - you may be surprised! My friend read an overview of it and was like this looks rubbish but when I convinced her to read it and she did, she admitted she really enjoyed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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