From the Booker Prize-winning and Women's Prize-shortlisted author of The Silence of the Girls The first novel in Pat Barker's acclaimed 'Life Class' trilogy - an unforgettable story of art and war, from one of our greatest writers on war and the human heart 'Triumphant, inspiring, shattering' The Times 'Barker writes as brilliantly as ever... With great tenderness and insight she conveys a wartime world turned upside down' Independent on Sunday 'Masterly, gripping' Penelope Lively 'Extraordinarily powerful' Sunday Telegraph Spring, 1914. The students at the Slade School of Art gather in Henry Tonks's studio for his life-drawing class. But for Paul Tarrant the class is troubling, underscoring his own uncertainty about making a mark on the world. When war breaks out and the army won't take Paul, he enlists in the Belgian Red Cross just as he and fellow student Elinor Brooke admit their feelings for one another. Amidst the devastation in Ypres, Paul comes to see the world anew - but have his experiences changed him completely? The Life Class trilogy: Life Class Toby's Room Noonday
Pat Barker
Pat Barker is an English author best known for her powerful and thought-provoking novels that often explore the psychological and emotional impact of war on individuals. Her most notable work is the Regeneration Trilogy, which includes the novels "Regeneration," "The Eye in the Door," and "The Ghost Road." These novels are set during World War I and examine the experiences of soldiers suffering from shell shock.
Barker's writing style is characterized by its stark realism, detailed character development, and exploration of complex themes such as trauma, memory, and the nature of war. Her work has had a significant impact on the genre of historical fiction, as well as on the way war and its aftermath are portrayed in literature.
Overall, Pat Barker's contributions to literature have been widely recognized, earning her numerous awards and accolades, including the Booker Prize for Fiction for "The Ghost Road" in 1995. Her work continues to be celebrated for its depth, insight, and emotional resonance.
Other related
Regeneration
The first novel in Pat Barker's Booker Prize-winning Regeneration trilogy
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
The epic new romance from the author of Seven Days in June
The Atlas Complex
The devastating conclusion to the story that started with The Atlas Six - now an international bestseller