The name of Erich Maria Remarque is known throughout the world. The cult writer of the twentieth century, the representative of "lost generation ". So called the young men who were called to the front. Many of them have not yet graduated from school, but have already begun to kill. There was no choice, the war ... Erich fell to many trials, his life experience was reflected in the works. His novels are unique. Many call Remarque's style too simple, but his works are exciting and do not let go until the very last page. They have been read out by more than one generation.
Many years will pass, but the works of this writer will be popular at all times. If you have not yet met his work, be sure to do it. We present you a list of the 10 best books by Erich Maria Remarque, according to the rating and readers' opinion. The most famous works of the great author.
10. On the way back
The novel was published in 1931, also published under the title “Return". He tells about the fate of German soldiers. They went to war from school. Now they can return home, but they learn that a revolution has begun in Berlin.
The Soviets of Soldiers' Deputies are being created, but this is not at all interesting for young people. Upon returning to their homeland, they cannot find themselves. Their psyche is broken, mental trauma is not so easy to cure. Each of them will try to find the meaning of life. Someone will return to the army, someone will support the revolutionaries, someone will completely commit suicide.
Interesting fact: in 1937, the novel "On the way back"Was filmed (" The Road back ").
9. The Promised Land
Remarque's last novel. He has a very interesting story. It was published after the death of the writer in 1971 by his wife. The publisher reduced the text, the book was released under the title "Shadows in Paradise».
In 1998, the manuscript "Promised land"Was published in the form in which it existed. This is the story of German emigrants who decided to look for the best share in the USA.
America has always been associated with freedom and independence. They did everything possible to get into this country. It was only upon arrival that the emigrants realized that no one needed them here. They will have to take care of themselves ...
8. The spark of life
The novel was released in 1952. This is not a fictional story, rather a "tortured one." The fact is that Erich devoted this novel to his sister, whose fate was very tragic. Elfrid Scholz was arrested in 1943. The reason is anti-fascist agitation. The woman was found guilty and executed.
Erich wrote a book about a non-existent camp; he violated the taboos that were set up in Germany at that time. What followed? Breaking a contract with a publisher and many other problems. No one wanted to publish this work. There were those who appreciated "Spark of life". These are people who actually went to a concentration camp.
The modern reader will certainly be interested in the book, because it is part of the history of an ordinary people, far from politics, people who just wanted to live ...
7. Love your neighbor
Year of publication - 1939. The novel tells the story of the post-war period. The main characters are the Jewish population. The First World War ended, the Jews felt all the “charms” of the new government. They are no longer considered for people: documents are taken away, they are deprived of work, they are expelled from the country. They have nowhere to go. They wander from one country to another, they are not accepted anywhere.
Jews have one dream - to obtain a residence permit and work permit. Unfortunately for many characters, "love thy neighbour"She remains a dream ...
6. Time to live and time to die
The novel was released in 1954. Its action takes place in 1944. The main character Gerber receives a vacation, he wants to visit his parents and goes to Verdunbrück.
He does not recognize his hometown: ruins, bombings, death, blood and pain. Gerber is amazed, in the war he did not even think about how civilians suffer. He cannot find his parents, meets a girl, a relationship is established between them. The vacation ends, and Gerber must return to war.
The protagonist of the novel "Time to live and time to die"A dream appears - to meet with her beloved again and never to leave again ...
5. Life on loan, or the sky has no pets
The novel was published in 1959 under the title "Life loan". Two years later, Remarque decided to change it to "Heaven does not know the favorites". In the Russian version, the name sounds like "Life on loan, or the sky has no pets". This book does not address the military theme, there is no place for politics, but there is love.
The modern reader is unlikely to find the plot original, books with similar content are more than enough. Still, you should not compare Remarque with stamped stories, of which a huge number are now produced.
A young woman Lillian meets with the driver Clerfe. She is sick with tuberculosis, every day can be the last. How much more was she left? How will this sad love story end?
4. The Arc de Triomphe
Year of publication - 1945. Roman "Triumphal Arch"Hit the bestseller list (for 1946).
France. German surgeon Ravik lives in Paris. True, he does not have citizenship. Ravik is an emigrant, he decided to start a new life. At home, he was tortured for helping innocent people. His beloved girl was killed.
He believed people who said it was easy for emigrants in France to arrange their lives. Everything is not so simple, Ravik has no documents and money, only illegal work. Soon love comes to his life.
The novel was filmed twice. Fans of Remarque's work will probably want to see these films.
3. On the western front unchanged
The anti-war novel, which was released in 1929, became a real sensation. He entered the big three works about the "lost generation". During the year they sold a record number of books - 1.5 million. The novel was translated into 36 languages of the world. It is dedicated to young soldiers, yesterday's schoolchildren who fell into the war.
The main character is a young man Paul. He is forced to fight along with adult men, as, incidentally, many other young guys. Few can survive, but the living cannot be considered as such, their souls are lost, they are dead ...
Interesting fact: after the publication of the novel "On the western front unchangedRemark’s quiet life is over. Criticism rained down on him from all sides, in his native country he was called a traitor. The writer was even accused of stealing the manuscript from a deceased comrade. Remarque was forced to leave Germany.
2. Three comrades
The novel was released in 1936. He became one of the most popular and most beloved for many readers. Its action takes place in 1924 - 1925.
Three young men three companions, they are not at all alike, but their friendship is strong. They decide to open their own business - a car repair shop. Soon one of them - Robbie falls in love with Patricia. They are on different social levels. Do they have at least one chance for happiness?
1. Black Obelisk
Year of publication - 1959. It is based on events from the life of Remarque.
1923, Germany. Ludwig Bodmer is a typical representative of the “lost generation." The field of war he settles with his comrade George Krol - sells monuments, black obelisks. To receive free meals, Ludwig goes to play the organ in the chapel at the mental hospital. There he meets a girl with a split personality and falls in love with her.
Bodmer is struggling to return to normal. He will never be the same as he was before, but you need to learn to live on ...