Book Review of All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (trans Kurt Beals)

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Type of book: Germany, 1917-1918, trench warfare, meaning of war, reality of war, death, contrast, friendship, military, soldier life 

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Summary:

Characters:

While there are plenty of characters, two of the ones that really struck me are Paul and Kat show were in the same unit. Paul used to have passion for literature and had hoped to become a teacher before getting caught up in the Great War. Still he philosophies and often asks incredibly difficult questions that cannot be easily answered. Kat is Paul's mentor who is resourceful and has a soft spot for Paul. Quite often it's because of Kat that Paul and his unit are capable of surviving the downs of war. 

Theme:

What is the point of war? 

Plot:

The story is told in first person narrative from Paul's point of view, from the time they got an unexpected bounty of food up until a calm day at the end of the novel. The story focuses a great deal on surviving the trench war, and on type of maturity and heartbreak that one wishes on the worst of human beings. There is definitely an interesting mirror to what one witnesses and emotions versus the dispassionate reporting that the main character presented. ( Perhaps similar to Night by Elie Wiesel?) 

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Opinion:

When I was in high school, I remember watching some of the movie that was based on the book.One scene that stayed with me is a scene from the end of the movie.A boy/man stood in the trenches, writing or drawing in his notebook. I remember thinking as contrast between creation and destruction.I am of mixed opinion as to which format to use for review: fiction or nonfiction. While the story is clearly fiction, it doesn't feel like it should be classified as fiction. Aside from that, wow, what an amazing and heartbreaking read. ( when my military loving son grows up, three guesses what I will have him read one day...) I definitely don't think I have the words to express it's beauty and sorrow. 

This was given for review 

5 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)