A review by hokoro
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Came from the movie by Edward Berger so I had high expectations. Those expectations were met and even exceeded. 

The main theme of the whole book was how meaningless the war was (both the fighting and the identities, backgrounds of the soldiers). That is really just it. All the descriptions and reflections all show how fleeting life can be and only the front line mattered. 

I grew too attached to all the platoon mates which was not good. You can really tell the author has fought on the front because his vivid descriptions of the sounds of the projectiles and his extensive field knowledge. 

Parts that made me choke up: 

1. Paul coming home and her sister announcing his arrival to his mother: the normalcy about it and how they accept him back? NUH UH I BAWLED - the whole section about his leave actually made me choke up. It was so so depressing how nobody understood him and his experiences.
2. Paul and Kat: FATHER FIGURE - I was so ready to throw my book when they revealed that Kat was dead. PAUL'S GRIEF AND HIS READINESS TO END HIMSELF - sobbing crying
3. The fleeting memories: do i need to say more - they were so vivid that I can see it in my mind AND FOR IT TO BE DASHED

Parts that made me smile:

1. The humbling of Himmeltoss: I really cheered when the guys got their deserved better treatment after Himmeltoss' experience on the frontline
2. Paul's one night fling: AT LEAST HE IS AT PEACE AND THE LADY WAS NICE
3. The ending: finally Paul is at peace and hopefully in a better place.

Definitely would re-read again to better analyse the book + read the sequel "The Way Back"