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I thought the story of 101 year old WWI veteran Geordie, his family, and his memories was difficult while also interesting and thought provoking. There were very relatable moments about death. However, the other storyline with Nick‘s family and the history of their home did not mesh well for me. I‘m not sure if I‘m just missing things or they really didn‘t work well together.

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A story of a family in crisis,teenagers from different marriages,young baby and one on the way, a new house with a possible ghost, and a 101 year old ww1 veteran grandfather facing death but troubled by his memories of the war. The bk mixes the domestic with supernatural and is a little overstretched trying to cover too many themes however the story at its heart worked with geordie facing death and his memories & I found the end moving.

This has plenty of Barker's piercing insight, hey compassion and her ability to present trauma and tragedy without the least sentimentality but it also feels like several stories that don't quite for together. Between the recurring shellshock of a WWI veteran at the end of his long life, bullying of and by his great-grandchildren, the strained marriage of his grandson and the dark past of the new home it was moving but messy

The Thiepval Memorial at the Somme where 72,000 men are commemorated. And that's just the British and South African troops.

Another book of one of my favourite writers. 💛 As always in Pat Barker's Books, it is all about memories and class.