"All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque
The coffins are really for us. The organization surpasses itself in that kind of thing.
The story begins with Paul Bäumer and his unit receiving double rations because half of his unit has been killed in battle. They were engaged in trench warfare during WWI. Paul and his school mates had been talked into joining the German army by their teacher. Paul was 19 years old.
"All Quiet on the Western Front" is a very disturbing book. Remarque was in the army during the war and he writes from experience. He tells of the artillery attacks, food shortages and fallen comrades. And the periodical monotony. He also writes of the difficulty Paul has identifying with his home when he goes on leave.
This book is a detailed look at what happens to a young mans mind when he goes from the schoolroom to the war front. I highly recommend it.
1 comment:
Recently I've been studying WWI poetry, and it made me want to read more on the subject. The poems are, like you said about the book, very disturbing at times, but also very moving. I think I'll give this one a try.
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