Spark of Life: A Novel

Another wonderful (and heartbreakingly sad) novel by Remarque........ He is my favorite all-time author, but not all his novels are This gripping and hard to put down - so I don't give this 5 stars just because of the author's name - Three Comrades is just a 3 star book I would say, for instance. Remarque is most known for his WW1 classic - All Quiet, and most of his books are set in that time period. This one is a story of the will to live and to be known as a human being, in a horrific WW2 concentration camp situation. There are a lot of characters in this novel and it is occasionally hard to keep a few of them straight, until further into the book - but they all do fit well into the tapestry of the story. At the heart of the story is a long time prisoner and his battle to hold on to his life long enough to get to the end of the war and regain his freedom. I've read enough non-fiction from this time period to know that Remarque surely didn't just pull this from his imagination after a brief look at the newspapers of the time period. Modern writers of historical fiction should study this book and learn from it! While his characters are fiction, the situation is entirely based in fact - from the hiding of politicals in the sick wards by trading identities, and the systems of 'trade' in the camps, etc - the background of this novel is based in reality in WW2 German camps. Remarque does a fine job of speaking for the millions who perished in these horrible camps. Remarque even manages to also place the reader in the mind of the Nazi's who futilely try to find a way to absolve themselves of any blame for their atrocities, at war's end. While difficult to read at times, its one book that Should be read - 'those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it' is something I think is so very true.Readers should know that Remarque's earlier books were banned and burned by the Nazi's and that he fled the country to Switzerland and eventually the U.S. His sister, Elfriede, was beheaded in 1943 by the Nazi's -- because he was by then out of their reach and punishing his family that was still in the county was their only option. This book is dedicated to her.Anyone wanting to read an Excellent personal account of this era - Read Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz (or under the original title - If This is a Man)

One of the best books I have ever read. Here is a German writing about what other Germans did to prisoners before and during World War II. The descriptions of the horrors are graphic but not over done. I always felt that most, especially 509 who had been in the camp since the mid 1930s. I was engrossed in the book and although there was no mystery or science fiction (my favorite genres), I had a difficult time putting it down, after all I couldn't go without sleep for a few days just to complete reading this book.I really liked All Quiet on the Western Front and because of that I purchased this book inexpensively, thinking if it were not good or too overwhelmingly graphic, I could always donate it and not feel guilty.Initially I thought that although Spark of Life is beautifully written and very interesting I wouldn't reread it. However, now that I have finished it, I will keep itto reread it and also encourage others to read it. It can contribute to the thought that what happened during the Holocaust should never be forgotten, especially in a positive way in that the survivors go on with their lives trying to live in a changed world with hope. This thought is particularly true for those of us who did not live during WWII and knew very few people who actually fought in the war (2 uncles in the Navy and one coworker who was shot down over southern France and was in a prisoner-of-war camp for about 3 years until liberation).I recommend this book highly, but you have to not be timid about horrible realities of life, although this probably under describes what really happened to the prisoners who survived the concentration camps

As powerful as all quiet. Vivid horrible portrait of Nazi concentration camp;those who died,those who suffered,those who enjoyed and profited

It's a hard read - painful for its honesty. It's a must-read for everyone interested in the plight of humanity.

Another great book by Remarque !!!

This is a very difficult book for me to review. Well-written and very descriptive, the facts in the story are so depressing that I could only consume it in small amounts. Consequently it took me twice as long to finish this book as it would any other book of similar length. I would give this book a guarded recommendation; be prepared for vivid descriptions of World War II extermination camps.

One of the first novels about the unbelievable conditions of German Prison camps during WW-II. Reading this novel will remind us of man's inhumanity to man. Remarque was a magnificent writer whose works have detailed the horrors, inhumanity and sorrows of both great wars. of the 20th century..

Thanks for prompt delivery. This is a book that should be read by everyone, everywhere. We need to be reminded of (history or we are doomed to relive it). That's a well known quotation whose source I don't remember but is very true.

Brilliant

Good service and price

Goor read

Bought this book for my grandad as he had read it years ago when he was a pow, he is 93 years old and he was over the moon that he has got to read it again, best present ive ever bought him by far

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