The Road BackThe Road Back
Score Classic
What it's about
The First World War is over, and Ernst and the few surviving men of his company come home to Germany. But the town they left as eager young men seems colder, their homes smaller, and the reasons for the war meaningless. Erich Maria Remarque's sequel to All Quiet on the Western Front follows their slow, painful struggle to return to peacetime life.
Why it's worth reading
It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1931. It's a moving portrait of a lost generation, and of the bitterness that would help bring on the next war.
You'll love it if you liked
All Quiet on the Western Front
Arch of Triumph
The Killer AngelsGood to know
Read All Quiet on the Western Front first. It's quieter than its predecessor but just as powerful.
By the numbers
- Readers89 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #88 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #278 of the 762 classics we rank
- #893 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Erich Maria Remarque
All Quiet on the Western FrontArch of TriumphIf you like this, read next
The Godfather
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Name of the RoseExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Road Back worth reading?
Yes. It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1931. It ranks #893 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Road Back about?
The First World War is over, and Ernst and the few surviving men of his company come home to Germany. But the town they left as eager young men seems colder, their homes smaller, and the reasons for the war meaningless. Erich Maria Remarque's sequel to All Quiet on the Western Front follows their slow, painful struggle to return to peacetime life.
How long does it take to read The Road Back?
About 9 hours (344 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Road Back?
If you liked it, try All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of Triumph by Erich Maria Remarque or The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.