Three Comrades

With blinded eyes I stared at the sky, this grey, endless sky of a crazy god, who made life and death for his amusement.

I think my grandmother would've liked Three Comrades. She may have read it. She passed in 2003 and I often miss her. The ranks of my rogues gallery of family contained only one reader and Stella Short was that and certainly something else. I'd like to think she died with a book in her lap.

Three Comrades is a melodrama about survivors of the Great War discovering the extent of their personal damage in the depressed cauldron of Germany in the late 1920s. This isn't an exploration of material poverty but one of irreparable moral damage. Spirit (Geist) died for these men. What is left but hard drinking and fast cars? show more There is always love. but such has a terminal cost on this stage. There is no great wrenching of ideas here but the affairs remain palpable, even visceral.

I thought today about Sarah Churchwell and her book on Careless People in the Gatsby. Perhaps this reaction was global? show less

If you have only read Remarque’s most famous work, All Quiet On the Western Front, then you have truly missed out on how great Remarque was as a writer. Three Comrades is Erich Maria Remarque at his finest and most touching and insightful. You feel this book as much as you read it. Pick up The Night in Lisbon and Three Comrades and you will finally understand why All Quiet On the Western Front isn’t even this great writer’s best work. And if you can, track down the 1938 film starring Robert Taylor, Robert Young, Franchot Tone, and the absolutely luminous Margaret Sullavan as the doomed Pat. It will only enhance your enjoyment of Remarque’s book if you watch it first. — https://www.librarything.com/work/8186418/book/252865849

When I begin reading any of the classical works , I notice the different old style of writing, odd descriptions of places and people and I think to myself: "Ugh , its too late to read this , it didn't age well and I'm to spoiled with the easy going, action pumping modern literature" but then slowly it hooks me, I start to see the people, understand why and how the events are happening. And then I catch myself thinking: "Man this feels like the most real thing I have ever read" Some moments of my own life, spent mindlessly scrolling etc. feel less real than these old books. I loved every page of it. Loved how it went, even loved how it ended. I'm happy I got to read this and would recommend reading this to everyone . It is strangely show more beautiful and sad, real and unbelievable. show less

This is the third book by Erich Maria Remarque that I have read. The first two are “All Quiet on The Western Front” and “The Road Back”. He was a remarkable writer. This is a book about friendship, loyalty and love.
This, the third tells of three comrades—Robert Lokhamp, Otto Koster and Gottfried Lenz—who were compatriots in World War I. It’s been ten years since the war, and they struggled to adapt to society in their hometown in Germany. No one really cares about the fact that they are veterans of the Great War - World War I. They work in a garage. It’s difficult to make ends meet. So, they also work as taxi drivers and drink through the night.
A strain of cynicism seems to run through them. They gained a slightly show more war-hardened, almost old world view of society. One thing has remained intact and deepened over the years.
This is the bond they share. Their camaraderie is deep and true.
To own such a deep friendship is a rare gift. They treasure their camaraderie and do anything for each other.
One day, Robert (who is also the narrator of the tale) meets a girl, Patricia Hollman. They fall in love, despite the extreme differences in their characters and interests.
The story has two tracks that Erich Maria has skillfully woven together. The first is the tale of their deep friendship. The second is Robby and Pat’s love story.
Erich Maria has excelled in the telling of the tales. He has blended the stories beautifully. There is nothing mawkish about the book. You can feel the depth of the emotions, and he has trod a fine line with finesse. The tale is about friendship, loyalty and love.
He has not dragged us down into a thick, sweet, sugary Hell!
Towards the end of the book, you can sense the shadow being cast over Germany. The events in the book took place ten years after World War I. The Nazis were rising. Erich Maria Remarque does not specifically mention the Nazis. Yet, you are aware of their malignant influence.
A speech by a demagogue; the passion of the crowd; bullets firing; death and revenge. The Nazi shadow fell. Nothing would ever be the same again.
The book is tragic. It is subtle. It is a magnificent book. It is evocative of love, camaraderie, change, love and tragedy.
“Three Comrades” is a masterpiece. show less

Not quite one of Remarque's best, but very good nonetheless. Three Comrades is about three men who became good friends while serving in the German military during World War I. Between the wars they work as mechanics and generally try to survive as best they can during this harsh time. When one of them falls in love, their friendship changes, but still remains strong. This book is about friendship, love, life, and death.

It took me a little while to get into it, but it was well worth it. As with some of his other books, the characters are funny and tragic at the same time.

I also found a few quotes to add to my collection:

"A man is courageous only when he is also afraid."

"It's terrible waiting for something."
"... It's only terrible to show more have nothing to wait for." show less

3.25

A love story rather than a novel about the war, situated in Germany between the wars. Moving with some very beautiful lyrical scenes that are pure poetry.