The first book of the Dallas News Summer Book club is Eric Marie Remarque's novel "All Quiet on the Western Front". The author takes a deep dive in the personal tragedy of war as Paul Baumer describes the horrible death of his friend Kemmerich, who just had his leg amputated, in a crowded hospital reeking of gangrene. Baumer vividly describes the final moments of Kemmerich's life. "But he only weeps, his head turned aside. He does not speak of his mother or his brothers and sisters. He says nothing; all that lies behind him; he is entirely alone now with his little life of nineteen years, and cries because it leaves him." The author then follows that scene with Baumer, who just sat at his friends bed as he slowly died, showing signs of hope as he leaves the hospital. "Thoughts of girls, of flowery meadows, of white clouds suddenly come into my head." It struck me odd that he could enjoy life amidst devastating war. I can't wait for chapter three.
