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Nataliya's Reviews > All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front
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by
It’s been over a century since Remarque’s Paul Bäumer went through the meatgrinder of the senseless brutal war, and not a single fragging thing has changed except for better weapons.
It’s still the perceived offense of one country over whatever seems so important to those idiots in charge - the ones who are safe and whose families are safe no matter what happens, and who will benefit from the senseless slaughter - that sends a bunch of regular people to slaughter other regular people, the violence begets violence, and the wheel turns grinding everyone under its relentless trudge.
Kropp had it right:
“Kropp on the other hand is a thinker. He proposes that a declaration of war should be a kind of popular festival with entrance-tickets and bands, like a bull fight. Then in the arena the ministers and generals of the two countries, dressed in bathing-drawers and armed with clubs, can have it out among themselves. Whoever survives, his country wins. That would be much simpler and more just than this arrangement, where the wrong people do the fighting.�
—ĔĔĔĔĔ�
Simple but poignant, without a shred of overwriting and overwroughtness, without descending into misery porn, without moralizing, without dropping anvil messages, in compact couple of hundred pages Remarque does what is not easy to achieve. He gets his point through in the way that is so effectively unsettling that those final two paragraphs - just four short lines - make the world sway for just a minute. And that’s more than I can say about 99% of literature out there.
The youth spent on satisfying others� need for violence. Survival and camaraderie borne of that. The intersection of cynicism and idealism. The clear-headed realism too tired to be angry.
Remarque’s book is the work of genius.
5 stars.
—ĔĔ�
Buddy read with Dennis.
—ĔĔ�
(Review courtesy of a very delayed plane flight).
—ĔĔ�
(view spoiler)
—ĔĔĔ—�
Also posted on .
It’s still the perceived offense of one country over whatever seems so important to those idiots in charge - the ones who are safe and whose families are safe no matter what happens, and who will benefit from the senseless slaughter - that sends a bunch of regular people to slaughter other regular people, the violence begets violence, and the wheel turns grinding everyone under its relentless trudge.
Kropp had it right:
“Kropp on the other hand is a thinker. He proposes that a declaration of war should be a kind of popular festival with entrance-tickets and bands, like a bull fight. Then in the arena the ministers and generals of the two countries, dressed in bathing-drawers and armed with clubs, can have it out among themselves. Whoever survives, his country wins. That would be much simpler and more just than this arrangement, where the wrong people do the fighting.�
—ĔĔĔĔĔ�
“How long has it been? Weeks—months—years? Only days. We see time pass in the colourless faces of the dying, we cram food into us, we run, we throw, we shoot, we kill, we lie about, we are feeble and spent, and nothing supports us but the knowledge that there are still feebler, still more spent, still more helpless ones there who, with staring eyes, look upon us as gods that escape death many times.�
Simple but poignant, without a shred of overwriting and overwroughtness, without descending into misery porn, without moralizing, without dropping anvil messages, in compact couple of hundred pages Remarque does what is not easy to achieve. He gets his point through in the way that is so effectively unsettling that those final two paragraphs - just four short lines - make the world sway for just a minute. And that’s more than I can say about 99% of literature out there.
“At once a new warmth flows through me. These voices, these quiet words, these footsteps in the trench behind me recall me at a bound from the terrible loneliness and fear of death by which I had been almost destroyed. They are more to me than life, these voices, they are more than motherliness and more than fear; they are the strongest, most comforting thing there is anywhere: they are the voices of my comrades.
I am no longer a shuddering speck of existence, alone in the darkness;—I belong to them and they to me; we all share the same fear and the same life, we are nearer than lovers, in a simpler, a harder way; I could bury my face in them, in these voices, these words that have saved me and will stand by me.�
The youth spent on satisfying others� need for violence. Survival and camaraderie borne of that. The intersection of cynicism and idealism. The clear-headed realism too tired to be angry.
“Tjaden reappears. He is still quite excited and again joins the conversation, wondering just how a war gets started.
“Mostly by one country badly offending another,� answers Albert with a slight air of superiority.
Then Tjaden pretends to be obtuse. “A country? I don’t follow. A mountain in Germany cannot offend a mountain in France. Or a river, or a wood, or a field of wheat.�
“Are you really as stupid as that, or are you just pulling my leg?� growls Kropp, “I don’t mean that at all. One people offends the other—�
“Then I haven’t any business here at all,� replies Tjaden, “I don’t feel myself offended.�
Remarque’s book is the work of genius.
5 stars.
—ĔĔ�
Buddy read with Dennis.
—ĔĔ�
(Review courtesy of a very delayed plane flight).
—ĔĔ�
(view spoiler)
—ĔĔĔ—�
Also posted on .
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Reading Progress
November 1, 2022
–
Started Reading
November 1, 2022
– Shelved
November 3, 2022
–
25.0%
November 3, 2022
–
50.0%
"“How long has it been? Weeks—months—years? Only days. We see time pass in the colourless faces of the dying, we cram food into us, we run, we throw, we shoot, we kill, we lie about, we are feeble and spent, and nothing supports us but the knowledge that there are still feebler, still more spent, still more helpless ones there who, with staring eyes, look upon us as gods that escape death many times.�"
November 4, 2022
–
71.0%
"“At once a new warmth flows through me. These voices, these quiet words, these footsteps in the trench behind me recall me at a bound from the terrible loneliness and fear of death by which I had been almost destroyed. They are more to me than life, these voices, they are more than motherliness and more than fear; they are the strongest, most comforting thing there is anywhere: they are the voices of my comrades.�"
November 4, 2022
–
99.0%
November 4, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 60 (60 new)
Marquise wrote: "5 stars! Wooohoo!And this is why I love you. :)"
Awwww, thanks!
This book is just� well� let’s say I’m still blinking myself back to reality after it.
nastya wrote: "need a hug?"Yes. Yes I do.
The only reason I didn’t start crying is that I was on the plane among people.
I'd have bawled my eyes out anyway, and showed the cover to people looking at me, who'd then nod sympathetically
what a powerful read! You are experiencing quite a remarqaissance
will you read its sequel - the road back? (the only remarque I haven't tried yet)
Such a wonderful review, thank you. I just realized that I had managed to absorb into my cultural consciousness without having read anything by him. I should, of course.
I've heard of this book from long ago, but never thought about actually reading it. I think I need to change that - it sounds like a good book, if your review is any indication. But often, your reviews are better than the book, so there's that.
Great review of this classic anti-war novel. Thanks Nataliya. Just read your comments on another post about the new German film adaptation. I watched it too, and it's worth a look. Brutal, but so many aspects of the movie are a credit to the production team, cast and director.
Will be interested in your thoughts if you also watch it and how it fits with your view of the novel.
Cheers from Tassie.
CB
Great review, NataliyaI loved this book. For me there's a time before Remarque and a time after Remarque.
I read it in German courtesy of a uni trip to Brussels and to the European Parliament. And it made me love the language even more.
Kropp has an interesting idea about stopping the war. Emilio Lussu, who fought on the Alps during WW1, had a simpler one: don't give alcohol to the soldiers. He thought no one would have fought without alcohol...
Emiliu Lussu was translated into English either as A Soldier on the Southern Front: The Classic Italian Memoir of World War I or Sardinian Brigade.
It's a great book. Remarque was a fabulous writer.
Marquise wrote: "I'd have bawled my eyes out anyway, and showed the cover to people looking at me, who'd then nod sympathetically"I was being stoic but bawling inside.
nastya wrote: "what a powerful read! You are experiencing quite a remarqaissance"Remarquaissance. Love it. This one was much more solid than Three Comrades, actually, although I liked that one as well.
nastya wrote: "will you read its sequel - the road back? (the only remarque I haven't tried yet)"
I had no idea there *was* a sequel. I suppose I should.
Nataliya wrote: "I was being stoic but bawling inside."*hugs*
Nataliya wrote: "I had no idea there *was* a sequel. I suppose I should."I kind of want to, but also don't wanna.
Alexandra wrote: "Such a wonderful review, thank you. I just realized that I had managed to absorb into my cultural consciousness without having read anything by him. I should, of course."Thanks, Alexandra! And yes, this seems to be the book the knowledge of which seeps in by cultural osmosis, but it’s so worth reading it. It’s wonderful, in the sad and depressing and yet not miserable way.
Nataliya wrote: " This one was much more solid than Three Comrades, actually, although I liked that one as well."I think it's because of that love story. And unfortunately it's very prominent in the end. And when I am sadder when they sold the car than when she was dying, its a problem.
Marty wrote: "I've heard of this book from long ago, but never thought about actually reading it. I think I need to change that - it sounds like a good book, if your review is any indication. But often, your rev..."Marty, it is an excellent book! I really like what Remarque achieves here in such a short book (just a tad over 200 pages) � skill and confidence that I haven’t seen in a while. It certainly *not* the case of my review being better than the book. It’s great.
(Also, thanks for the compliment ☺️)
Colin wrote: "Great review of this classic anti-war novel. Thanks Nataliya. Just read your comments on another post about the new German film adaptation. I watched it too, and it's worth a look. Brutal, but so ..."
Thanks, Colin! Yes, I definitely plan to watch that adaptation. With the war in Ukraine currently getting me so close, I was worried about this book, and I’m a bit worried about the effect that the movie will have on me, but I will watch it anyway.
Soobie's heartbroken wrote: "Great review, NataliyaI loved this book. For me there's a time before Remarque and a time after Remarque.
I read it in German courtesy of a uni trip to Brussels and to the European Parliament. ..."
Aaaah, your 2-star review is for the graphic novel! I was confused for a second there.
I fully support Kropp idea. The idiots who come up with the idea of waging a war should battle it out gladiator-style, and the rest of us can watch. People live saber-rattling from safety and security. (Currently that would mean sending Putin to battle a rabid badger since nobody else needed that slaughter he unleashed. My money would be on the badger).
Vlad wrote: "It's a great book. Remarque was a fabulous writer."Agree with both of these!
Marquise wrote: "Nataliya wrote: "I was being stoic but bawling inside."*hugs*"
Those are sorely needed.
Marquise wrote: "Nataliya wrote: "I had no idea there *was* a sequel. I suppose I should."
I kind of want to, but also don't wanna."
Because of the potential for devastating sadness?
Have to read this at some point.
Nataliya wrote: "Because of the potential for devastating sadness?"Yes. I was crushed badly by the book and again by the film, still feel sad a week later. :'(
(But it was worth watching, I promise)
Fantastic review! The senselessness, cruelty, and collective narcissism of war, then, now, always�
nastya wrote: "Nataliya wrote: " This one was much more solid than Three Comrades, actually, although I liked that one as well."I think it's because of that love story. And unfortunately it's very prominent in ..."
Oh, I was sad about Karl. The thing is - Remarque made Pat a bit too unbelievable; not quite the manic pixie dream girl but whatever his equivalent of that was for the time/setting, and she never felt real to me, and her relationship with Robert made little sense to me.
But all the other stuff in Three Comrades was great - the interactions/connections between all the characters. It was done very well. Of course, romance in most stories for me tends to be a weaker point, but in that one especially so.
Left Coast Justin wrote: "Have to read this at some point."You should! Actually, you should read it before Three Comrades because this one is objectively stronger.
Marquise wrote: "Nataliya wrote: "Because of the potential for devastating sadness?"Yes. I was crushed badly by the book and again by the film, still feel sad a week later. :'(
(But it was worth watching, I prom..."
Thanks for the warning. I will be prepared. Perhaps with a lot of chocolate and ice-cream.
Justin wrote: "Fantastic review! The senselessness, cruelty, and collective narcissism of war, then, now, always�"Thanks, Justin! It’s so sad that over a century later humanity doesn’t seem to have learned anything.
Nataliya wrote: "nastya wrote: "Nataliya wrote: " This one was much more solid than Three Comrades, actually, although I liked that one as well."I think it's because of that love story. And unfortunately it's ver..."
Romance can be a strong point of the story if done right. It's not you not liking romance, it was just not a good romance. And Karl had more personality in the end than Pat which is regrettable. She never became a person, just an idea of the woman. I'm 100% with you
nastya wrote: "Romance can be a strong point of the story if done right. It's not you not liking romance, it was just not a good romance."I suppose it takes skills to write a romance that is both believable and non-mushy. And yes, creating believable romantic partners. Pat was too ephemeral for believability.
Great review Nataliya, really well summed up and I agree, a work of genius. It was very impactful for me as well� and I finished it in January, a month before the current war in Europe began.
Great review as usual, Nataliya. Made me want to read it again (I read it only once in my early teens, it was the book that made me abhor war forever).
Nataliya wrote: "Soobie's heartbroken wrote: "Great review, NataliyaI loved this book. For me there's a time before Remarque and a time after Remarque.
I read it in German courtesy of a uni trip to Brussels and..."
Yep, five shining stars to the novel; two less shiny stars to something that was marketed as a graphic novel, but was just an illustrated edition with an abridged text.
Outstanding review, Nataliya! This is one of the most affecting books I've ever read.
Ryan wrote: "Great review Nataliya, really well summed up and I agree, a work of genius. It was very impactful for me as well� and I finished it in January, a month before the current war in Europe began."Thanks, Ryan! I was actually a bit worried about reading it now (and it was slated to be a buddy read from way before the current Putin insanity) since I’m originally Ukrainian, and a book about trench war like this hits too close for comfort. But it was worth it.
Durval wrote: "Great review as usual, Nataliya. Made me want to read it again (I read it only once in my early teens, it was the book that made me abhor war forever)."Thanks, Durval. I read it for the first time as a teen, too, and had pretty much no memory of it now. I am glad I picked it up again.
Christopher wrote: "Nice review!"Thanks, Christopher!
Soobie's heartbroken wrote: "Yep, five shining stars to the novel; two less shiny stars to something that was marketed as a graphic novel, but was just an illustrated edition with an abridged text."Whoever came up with that idea didn’t know what graphic novels actually were?
Candi wrote: "Outstanding review, Nataliya! This is one of the most affecting books I've ever read."Thank you, Candi! It’s definitely a book with so much impact.
Absolutely amazing book.
Wick wrote: "Absolutely amazing book."It is indeed! And so simply done, devoid of literary tricks that drive me crazy in so many recent literary efforts � and yet so effective.
Whoever came up with that idea didn’t know what graphic novels actually were?Nee, never even read one.
Soobie's heartbroken wrote: "Whoever came up with that idea didn’t know what graphic novels actually were?Nee, never even read one."
😆 That’s just not good. Graphic novel so doesn’t equal “an illustrated book�.
Beautiful review. I teared up when I read your spoiler quote.
Lynn wrote: "Beautiful review. I teared up when I read your spoiler quote."Thank you, Lynn. I read it on the plane, and even though I knew it was coming I had to work hard to not tear up.
A very powerful book! And yes, the end is emotional and also somewhat satisfying. I can get so angry at those politicians and generals and such to have caused such senseless slaughter!!
Jan wrote: "A very powerful book! And yes, the end is emotional and also somewhat satisfying. I can get so angry at those politicians and generals and such to have caused such senseless slaughter!!"
Very powerful indeed. And yes, the politicians who caused all of that, and just kept sacrificing the lives of all those men for a lost cause, while they themselves enjoyed safety.
And this is why I love you. :)