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100 Best Books Challenge: Remarque

It' been awhile, but I have been busy so excuse my absence.  My next venture on the 100 Best Books Challenge was All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.  I first cracked this book open back in April and just finished today (September 17th).  Why did it take me so long?  I think a couple reasons prevented me from finishing this book in a timely manner.  This spring/summer was particularly busy for me and my family, I read other material and put this one on hold, and honestly I wasn't super motivated to finish this one. 

Don't get me wrong I think All Quiet on the Western Front is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone, especially to gain insight on the plights of war, but as I was reading the story there were times I was bored.  Many of the chapters in the book are page turners, but there are a lot of instances in the book where the main character is reminiscing and reflecting.  I appreciate these moments, as I know Remarque added those instances to gain further understanding and insight, but I often found myself putting the book down after a few passages of simple reflective dialogue.  

Once again, don't get me wrong, this is a great novel.  I think I actually appreciate it more since it took me so long to read it.  Even when I was reading it I often went back over passages and read at a slower pace.  I think, historically, this book is super important and I didn't want to rush through just to get to the next read.  This is book is depressing, sad, action packed, and real.  There is a lot to internalize when you read All Quiet and by reading it slow and taking my time I feel I got more out of it.  The first time I read the short book Night by Elie Wiesel I did the same thing and I feel like I was able to develop a deeper understanding.  

I'm not sure where I will put this on my final list, but it does rank closer to the bottom on my original 100.  I think it's a super important book, worthy of the top 100, but as I just finished it I am still reflecting on the story as a whole.  Great read, highly recommend, just take your time.



Title: All Quiet on the Western Front

Author: Erich Maria Remarque

Published: Originally in 1929 by Little, Brown and Company
Page Count: 175
Date Started: November 12th 2019
Date Finished: November 17th 2019

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