Transnational Comparisons

Abstract

This chapter considers the transnational reception of three of the most widely read, and widely translated war texts: Barbusse, Under Fire; Lawrence, Revolt in the Desert; and Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front. All were widely reviewed upon publication, in all three countries. The analysis shows that there were both similarities and differences in the reception across national boundaries. The similarities derive mainly from the face value acceptance of these accounts of the war; the differences derive from differences in the political contexts in which they were read.