The novel takes place in postwar Germany. The First World War has just ended. Everywhere there is gloom and ruins. Three comrades return from the front and learn how to survive in this gray reality; they try not to remember what they went through and to believe in the better.
In their own workshop, they repair machines, trying to make something new out of the old. One day, a new figure appears on the pages—Patricia Holman. And then begins love without intrigues and tricks, without resentments or love triangles. Pure and beautiful, like a dream.
Touching that dream is already happiness—even if it never comes true…
Robby is ready to do anything for his beloved, and his friends are ready for anything for Robby. Mutual help, support, selflessness from people who know what real deprivation and death are. Remarque’s book is about sacrifice—and about what so often is forgotten in peaceful times: the highest value is life. Let it be full of sorrow, but from time to time small joys still happen in it—especially when real friends are nearby.