As Tom Seymour walks with his wife along the river Tyne, they see a young man jump from the jetty into the freezing water. Instinctively, Tom rescues him. But his act saves the life of Danny Miller, whose past, as well as whose future, will come to haunt Tom. Recently released from prison, and living under an assumed name, Danny was tried for murder as a 10-year-old on the basis of Tom's assessment of him as a psychologist. When Danny asks Tom to help him sort out his life, Tom is drawn into a lonely, soul-searching reinvestigation of the case.
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"I'm still trying to decide whether ending is plausible. Since I liked the ending, I'm hoping so. The question is whether people can change--be redeemed. It was a fascinating treatment of a psychologist working with a young man who was convicted of murder as a 10-year-old child. "
— Cathy (4 out of 5 stars)
" I listend to this book in a weekend. It was really good. Something I found by accident and glad that I did. "
— Dawn, 2/18/2014" holds your interest because nothing is ever conclusive and you keep waiting to get it but then the end comes and poof where did it go? pretty amazing dialogue that grips the reader in a teasing manner that sits on top of a ledge waiting for a falling scream that never materializes. yet evil and manipulation lurk at every corner ...... "
— Susan, 2/8/2014" A favorite writer. The book is spare and menacing. "
— Kathleen, 2/7/2014" This was a fascinating read as it makes you think about the pyschology of a killer's mind and if children can be born evil or whether society 'makes' them evil. "
— Rachael, 2/5/2014" absolutely gripping! "
— Alibabble, 1/29/2014" I had such high hopes for Barker as everyone I know has raved over the 'Regeneration Trilogy'. Perhaps I started with the wrong book. Maybe I had raised my hopes too high. Maybe I simply missed it - but I really didn't love it. I loved the way it was written, but I felt cheated at the end somehow, like I'd only been told half of a secret - enough to get my interest, but not enough to keep me. "
— Meg, 1/20/2014" Interesting to compare and contrast the personal and professional life of a psychologist within a novel where he explores the life a child who has killed someone. Tom Seymour had been an expert witness when 10 yr old Danny Miller was convicted of a murder, and they meet again some 10 years later. "
— Ivah, 1/18/2014" Very sharp ending, but nevertheless it was quite captivating! "
— Manuel, 1/16/2014" The premise of this book seemed too far fetched to be realistic. The relationship between the main characters was too unethical to be plausible. "
— Pam, 1/14/2014" Different to the Regeneration Trilogy in it's setting 'Border Crossing' explores similar themes in what it means to kill someone while drawing on her earlier novels as well. It raises important questions about the nature of good, evil and responsibility, when is a child old enough to understand the consequences of their actions? Although I was intrigued by the plot I struggled to relate to any of the characters, Tom seemed bland in many cases and Danny is an uncertain character, you're not sure whether he was evil or a product of his upbringing and too young to take responsibility. Worth reading for fans but for first timers I'd recommend starting with the Regeneration Trilogy. "
— Emma, 1/13/2014" I'm still trying to decide whether ending is plausible. Since I liked the ending, I'm hoping so. The question is whether people can change--be redeemed. It was a fascinating treatment of a psychologist working with a young man who was convicted of murder as a 10-year-old child. "
— Cathy, 1/5/2014" Understated and tense. This was a brilliant character study with a great sense of menace. "
— Alan, 1/4/2014" recommended by one of Amanda Houston's friends. Listening as a book on tape. "
— Wendy, 12/28/2013" Having just read the New Yorker profile of Pat Barker, I went to the library and checked out a couple of her other books. I enjoyed Border Crossing very much. It has the excitement of a thriller, and showcases Barker's interest in psychological issues. "
— Celia, 12/27/2013" Not sure why it's called Border Crossing, but the novel does a great job of suggesting the ambiguity and doubt that pervades the rehabilitation of a child murderer even when or maybe especially when it goes well. "
— Stacey, 12/15/2013" A good read for the holidays. Could actually not put it down. "
— Mariana, 12/9/2013" Decent book, intruiging story but lacked a bit of depth "
— Barry, 12/4/2013" I enjoyed the book very much, though I do think the ending was a bit of an anticlimax. That said, the book was genuinely realistic, a nice change from previous readings. "
— Sasha, 12/4/2013" Brilliant...read it all in one go! "
— Marie, 11/30/2013" Regeneration was a great novel, but not just a one-shot fluke. Pat Barker is one of the finest. Gripping plot, significant characters, moral complexity, tight pacing yet it opens up a fully developed world. "
— Tad, 11/28/2013" Brilliant...read it all in one go! "
— Marie, 11/6/2013" Another probing novel by master writer Pat Barker. Unlike my previous reads by the same author, this one has a contemporary plot. "
— Nancy, 11/5/2013" Regeneration was a great novel, but not just a one-shot fluke. Pat Barker is one of the finest. Gripping plot, significant characters, moral complexity, tight pacing yet it opens up a fully developed world. "
— Tad, 11/3/2013" This had some interesting parts, but the way it just sort of trailed off left me disappointed. "
— Karen, 7/23/2013" This woman can do no wrong. She can parse humanity like no other writer I know. "
— Susan, 7/14/2013" Having just read the New Yorker profile of Pat Barker, I went to the library and checked out a couple of her other books. I enjoyed Border Crossing very much. It has the excitement of a thriller, and showcases Barker's interest in psychological issues. "
— Celia, 6/25/2013" Not as interesting as Regeneration, but still good. I am moving to the other two in the Regeneration trilogy. "
— Kathryn, 3/24/2013" Three stars because it was a yr 12 book, but despite it being wrecked by that, it's a memorable story. "
— Soph, 3/3/2013" Decent book, intruiging story but lacked a bit of depth "
— Barry, 1/25/2013" second book by this author - pretty interesting "
— Nminnig, 10/26/2012" I could read nothing but Pat Barker to the end of my days. I mean, not really. But you know what I mean. "
— Ayelet, 8/31/2012" Read her WWI trilogy years ago and loved it. Thi is equally psych-minded, relys heavily on conversations between therapist and client. Not as rewarding as Regeneration / Eye in the Door / Ghost Road, but enjoyable. "
— Jennifer, 8/26/2012" Those who enjoyed We Need to Talk About Kevin will most likely enjoy Border Crossing. "
— RD, 7/28/2012" Very sharp ending, but nevertheless it was quite captivating! "
— Manuel, 7/6/2012" Those who enjoyed We Need to Talk About Kevin will most likely enjoy Border Crossing. "
— RD, 4/30/2012" Really good read. Thought provoking. "
— Sarah, 4/19/2012" Read this for my Year 12 English text. Didn't enjoy it like everyone else seemed to. "
— Felicity, 3/11/2012" Another probing novel by master writer Pat Barker. Unlike my previous reads by the same author, this one has a contemporary plot. "
— Nancy, 12/26/2011" Decent. Seemed to be re-treading some of the same ground as "Regeneration" and the plot felt a little thin, but nevertheless was enjoyable and well-written. "
— Spider, 10/12/2011" I expected a better ending and a bit more drama but is still was a great book! "
— Kaylol, 8/23/2011" recommended by one of Amanda Houston's friends. Listening as a book on tape. "
— Wendy, 6/11/2011" First time I've read barker--I will read more--wonderful style, sparse but complete. A very satisfying read. "
— Shelley, 6/6/2011" I love the prose, just how I would love to be able to write. Bleak but evocative without adjective overkill at every turn. An inspired and troubling story. "
— Kirsty, 4/27/2011" The premise of this book seemed too far fetched to be realistic. The relationship between the main characters was too unethical to be plausible. "
— Pam, 4/19/2011" absolutely gripping! "
— Alibabble, 12/21/2010" Not sure why it's called Border Crossing, but the novel does a great job of suggesting the ambiguity and doubt that pervades the rehabilitation of a child murderer even when or maybe especially when it goes well. "
— Stacey, 12/12/2010" I expected a better ending and a bit more drama but is still was a great book! "
— Kaylol, 12/9/2010" I expected a better ending and a bit more drama but is still was a great book! "
— Kaylol, 12/9/2010" I enjoyed the book very much, though I do think the ending was a bit of an anticlimax. That said, the book was genuinely realistic, a nice change from previous readings. "
— Sasha, 9/28/2010" I enjoyed the book very much, though I do think the ending was a bit of an anticlimax. That said, the book was genuinely realistic, a nice change from previous readings. "
— Sasha, 9/28/2010" recommended by one of Amanda Houston's friends. Listening as a book on tape. "
— Wendy, 9/3/2010" recommended by one of Amanda Houston's friends. Listening as a book on tape. "
— Wendy, 9/3/2010" Decent book, intruiging story but lacked a bit of depth "
— Barry, 8/12/2010" Decent book, intruiging story but lacked a bit of depth "
— Barry, 8/12/2010" First time I've read barker--I will read more--wonderful style, sparse but complete. A very satisfying read. "
— Shelley, 4/21/2010" First time I've read barker--I will read more--wonderful style, sparse but complete. A very satisfying read. "
— Shelley, 4/21/2010" I'm still trying to decide whether ending is plausible. Since I liked the ending, I'm hoping so. The question is whether people can change--be redeemed. It was a fascinating treatment of a psychologist working with a young man who was convicted of murder as a 10-year-old child. "
— Cathy, 2/18/2010" Read this for my Year 12 English text. Didn't enjoy it like everyone else seemed to. "
— Felicity, 1/24/2010" Read this for my Year 12 English text. Didn't enjoy it like everyone else seemed to. "
— Felicity, 1/24/2010" The premise of this book seemed too far fetched to be realistic. The relationship between the main characters was too unethical to be plausible. "
— Pam, 9/20/2009" The premise of this book seemed too far fetched to be realistic. The relationship between the main characters was too unethical to be plausible. "
— Pam, 9/20/2009" Read her WWI trilogy years ago and loved it. Thi is equally psych-minded, relys heavily on conversations between therapist and client. Not as rewarding as Regeneration / Eye in the Door / Ghost Road, but enjoyable. "
— Jennifer, 8/13/2009" Read her WWI trilogy years ago and loved it. Thi is equally psych-minded, relys heavily on conversations between therapist and client. Not as rewarding as Regeneration / Eye in the Door / Ghost Road, but enjoyable. "
— Jennifer, 8/13/2009" second book by this author - pretty interesting "
— Nminnig, 8/11/2009" second book by this author - pretty interesting "
— Nminnig, 8/11/2009" Not as interesting as Regeneration, but still good. I am moving to the other two in the Regeneration trilogy. "
— Kathryn, 2/27/2009" Not as interesting as Regeneration, but still good. I am moving to the other two in the Regeneration trilogy. "
— Kathryn, 2/27/2009" <em>Regeneration</em> was a great novel, but not just a one-shot fluke. Pat Barker is one of the finest. Gripping plot, significant characters, moral complexity, tight pacing yet it opens up a fully developed world. "
— Tad, 12/26/2008" <em>Regeneration</em> was a great novel, but not just a one-shot fluke. Pat Barker is one of the finest. Gripping plot, significant characters, moral complexity, tight pacing yet it opens up a fully developed world. "
— Tad, 12/26/2008Pat Barker is an English novelist who has won the Guardian Fiction Prize and the Booker Prize. In 2000 she was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.