Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Regeneration

   

   "Regeneration" is a historical and anti-war novel set in a mental hospital during World War I. The narrative focuses on the experiences and interactions of a psychiatrist and his patients, most of whom are soldiers suffering from severe shell shock. The novel explores themes of masculinity, identity, and the psychological effects of war, while also critiquing the societal pressures and expectations that led many men to enlist and subsequently suffer from mental trauma.

2. 2. The Regeneration Trilogy

   

   The Regeneration Trilogy is a series of three novels set during World War I, blending real-life and fictional characters to explore the psychological impact of war on soldiers. The narrative delves into the experiences of British army officers being treated for shell shock at Craiglockhart War Hospital, focusing on the innovative and sometimes controversial methods of psychiatrist Dr. W.H.R. Rivers. The story examines themes of masculinity, trauma, and the moral implications of warfare, as well as the societal pressures on soldiers to conform to heroic ideals. Through the eyes of both patients and doctors, the trilogy presents a poignant commentary on the brutal effects of war on the human psyche and the struggle for healing and regeneration.

3. 3. Union Street

   

   Set in the industrial north of England, the novel delves into the lives of seven women, each living on the same street, as they navigate the gritty realities of working-class existence. Through their interconnected stories, the narrative explores themes of poverty, domestic violence, friendship, and survival. The women, ranging from young girls to elderly matriarchs, confront their individual struggles and societal challenges, painting a vivid portrait of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Their tales, though often harrowing, are imbued with a sense of community and the unspoken bonds that tie them together.

4. 4. The Ghost Road

   

   "The Ghost Road" is a historical novel set during World War I that follows the experiences of a British army officer undergoing treatment for shell shock at a mental hospital. The narrative alternates between his perspective and that of his psychiatrist, who is fascinated by the psychological effects of war. The novel explores themes of trauma, memory, and the brutal realities of war, while also delving into the psychiatrist's own past experiences with a headhunting tribe in the South Pacific.
5. 5. The Eye in the Door

   

   "The Eye in the Door" is a historical novel set during World War I. The story follows a British army officer suffering from shell shock, as well as his psychologist, as they navigate the traumas of war and the tumultuous political climate. The book explores themes of mental illness, homosexuality, and the societal pressures of the time, all against the backdrop of the war and its effects on those involved.

6. 6. The Silence of the Girls

   

   The novel is a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Briseis, a queen turned slave to the legendary Achilles. It explores the brutal realities and hardships endured by women during wartime, often silenced in traditional narratives. The book delves into themes of power, survival, and the female experience in a male-dominated world, offering a fresh, feminist perspective on a classic tale.