The Black Obelisk by Erich Maria Remarque. Short summary

5 seconds

The young German Ludwig Bodmer works in a funeral parlor, writes poetry, and on Sundays he moonlights playing the organ in an asylum for the mentally ill. One day at the asylum, Ludwig meets a patient, Genevieve.

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The action is set in the town of Werdenbrück after World War I. The main character is Ludwig Bodmer, a combat veteran who has gone through all the horrors of war. He works in a ritual firm for his fellow soldier Georg Krol. Ludwig also writes poetry and moonlights playing the organ in the chapel of the hospital for the mentally ill.

One day in the hospital, Ludwig meets a patient, Genevieve. A romantic relationship arises between the young people. But after recovery, the girl suddenly stops recognizing Ludwig and remembers nothing of their affair.

Later Ludwig becomes infatuated with Gerda, a nightclub artist. But the girl dreams of a prosperous life, while the hero is poor. Gerda leaves the hero for the rich club owner.

Nothing else keeps the hero in town. Ludwig quits his job and goes to Berlin to work in an editorial office. Before he leaves, he burns his poems and sells the black obelisk, which has long been gathering dust in the warehouse, thus saving the firm from bankruptcy.