After reading All Quiet on the Western Font, I was struck by the incredible power of war and its devastating effects on the life of the soldiers. The vivid descriptions of the trenches and the horrors of war made me feel as if I was right there in the trenches with the soldiers. I was particularly moved by the way the characters expressed their fear, loneliness and despair. I was also touched by the strong bond of friendship that the soldiers had with each other.
The fact that this story is based on real life events made it even more powerful. The death of Kemmerich, in chapter 4 was particularly heartbreaking. His death serves as a reminder of the ultimate cost of war and how quickly ones life can be taken away.
The descriptions of the physical and psychological effects of war in chapters 7 and 11 were very moving. I was particularly struck by the way the soldiers had to cope with the constant fear and exhaustion of the battle. The scenes of the soldiers’ despair and hopelessness were also very powerful.
Overall, All Quiet on the Western Front was a passionate book. It reminded me of the importance of cherishing life and the need to work for peace.