#10371 The Road Back. Erich Maria Remarque.
Erich Maria Remarque

The Road Back

The Road Back (German Der Weg zurück), by acclaimed German author Erich Maria Remarque, is often viewed as a sequel to his groundbreaking 1929 novel, All Quiet on the Western Front. Set shortly after the events of its predecessor, this narrative dives into the tumultuous aftermath of World War I, chronicling the lives of young German soldiers as they grapple with the collapse of the German Empire and strive to reintegrate into civilian society. Though featuring different primary characters, the connection between the two novels is evident, with occasional references to personalities from the earlier work, such as Tjaden. A resounding sense of pessimism permeates the book, reflecting the protagonists' disillusionment with a society they deem responsible for the war and its ensuing tragedies. Serialized in the German newspaper Vossische Zeitung in 1930-31 and later published as a book, the novel was banned under Nazi rule. Its powerful themes were brought to the silver screen in a 1937 film adaptation directed by James Whale. This first American edition was translated from the German by A. W. Wheen.

Hardcover. First American Edition, First Printing. Octavo, beige cloth. "$2.50 net" price on jacket flap. Little Brown, 1931. #10371.
Bookplate from previous owner on the front endpaper. The cloth shows minor discoloration and the page edges have light foxing. However, the book remains tight and in impressive condition. The dust jacket is slightly darkened with minor wear, including small nicks and tiny chips at the extremities. Overall, this is a handsome near-fine copy in a very good+ dust jacket.