Possibly the best war (or should I say anti-war) novel of all time. The book is a translation from German - but you don't feel at any point like the impact of the writing is reduced. The language is absolutely beautiful and the writing doesn't hold back anything, and lays bare the realities of the war and its impact on the soldiers. A semi autobiographical novel by Erich Maria Remarque, the story follows a young German soldier who along with his classmates has enlisted in the army and are now facing the harsh realities of life in the front line.
The novel is simultaneously a look into the horrors of war and the unique comradeship that is developed amongst the soldiers as they go through the rawest emotions and experiences that they will never share with anyone else. It also forces introspection into the reasons for war and how people are swept into it and regret it afterwards.
The deep realism and emotion conveyed from the author's life experiences adds a dimension to the novel that makes it highly unique. And talking of unique, it's also one of the few popular and well written works of literature that goes into the war from the standpoint of the German soldier and doesn't paint a romantic or glorified view of war. Truly a classic that stands the test of time.