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A review by pbraue13
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
There is a reason this book is considered the best war novel of all time. Rather, the greatest ANTI-War novel of all time. I remember watching the film adaptation of this book from the 30s in my history class and the image of Paul reaching for the butterfly lingers forever in my memory. Ever since then I have always wanted to read this book. Now I can say I have, both reading it physically in my little battered second-hand paperback copy and listening to it on audio (and let me say the narrator is the kind of person you want to read you a horrific war novel as he has such a great, soothing voice that eases you into the horrors of the book).
Written post-WW1, Remarque wrote this as a way to talk about how he felt the war destroyed his generation, not just in the trenches, but mentally and spiritually as well. He, a German man conscripted to the trenches of WW1 at the age of 18, had come out of it disillusioned with power structures, patriotism, and how he experienced pain. The book follows a young boy named Paul Baumer after he joins the army in a patriotic frenzy and the horrors he faces. I cannot convey just how angry this book is (and rightfully so). There are almost journalistic passages where the author describes bombs being dropped, gruesome injuries, and fighting off hoards of rats thoroughly and without emotion. These literal traumas of war are sandwiched between contemplations of the psychological state of the soldiers and their powerlessness in their situation. Something that clearly many identified with as the book was super popular upon its publication around the world.
Another interesting aspect of this novel and its film adaptation is its life post fame and as the world entered WW2. The book does not glorify the war or Germany. In fact, while the author is German and the main character fights in the German army, the book does not play sides and does not really mention who is fighting who very often. This did not go over well with Hitler who believed the book and film were American propaganda that insulted the "Fatherland", believing it painted Germans as cowards. Nazi's threw stink bombs in and attacked the premiere of the film in Germany and both the film and all of Remarque's books were banned/burned by the nazis. It was banned because it dared to say the controversial opinion that "War is bad" and that was dangerous to those in power who wanted a war. If that is not an endorsement as to why you should read this book (especially in todays climate) I don't know what is.
The book leaves you in a cold sweat and your eyes teary after you've finished it. I sank into my seat on the bus ride home from work after finishing it feeling emotionally spent. It's a stark depiction of the gruesome realities of war and one everyone should and must read.
5/5 stars
Written post-WW1, Remarque wrote this as a way to talk about how he felt the war destroyed his generation, not just in the trenches, but mentally and spiritually as well. He, a German man conscripted to the trenches of WW1 at the age of 18, had come out of it disillusioned with power structures, patriotism, and how he experienced pain. The book follows a young boy named Paul Baumer after he joins the army in a patriotic frenzy and the horrors he faces. I cannot convey just how angry this book is (and rightfully so). There are almost journalistic passages where the author describes bombs being dropped, gruesome injuries, and fighting off hoards of rats thoroughly and without emotion. These literal traumas of war are sandwiched between contemplations of the psychological state of the soldiers and their powerlessness in their situation. Something that clearly many identified with as the book was super popular upon its publication around the world.
Another interesting aspect of this novel and its film adaptation is its life post fame and as the world entered WW2. The book does not glorify the war or Germany. In fact, while the author is German and the main character fights in the German army, the book does not play sides and does not really mention who is fighting who very often. This did not go over well with Hitler who believed the book and film were American propaganda that insulted the "Fatherland", believing it painted Germans as cowards. Nazi's threw stink bombs in and attacked the premiere of the film in Germany and both the film and all of Remarque's books were banned/burned by the nazis. It was banned because it dared to say the controversial opinion that "War is bad" and that was dangerous to those in power who wanted a war. If that is not an endorsement as to why you should read this book (especially in todays climate) I don't know what is.
The book leaves you in a cold sweat and your eyes teary after you've finished it. I sank into my seat on the bus ride home from work after finishing it feeling emotionally spent. It's a stark depiction of the gruesome realities of war and one everyone should and must read.
5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War
Minor: Sexual content