phenomenal and horrific - 4 stars because it doesn’t top #1 in the trilogy, booker prize or no. the historical details were fascinating, including rivers’ time with the head hunters; barker, as ever, did a fantastic job on weaving historical fact, fiction, social commentary and masterful characterisation together. there’s no doubt the horrendous ordeal these men were subjected to was inhuman and yet by submerging yourself in their stories it’s clear the forces at work were too huge to be fought against by any individual. barker does justice to the nuances dividing conscientious objectors, civilians, and those who fought, detailing the righteous anger and bitterness that results from a society pushed past its breaking point.