The novel was published in 1948 and immediately caused great controversy among literary critics. It is an anti-war and anti-fascist work that depicts the all-conquering humanity alongside the disgusting aspects of war. Despite all the attacks, the novel was a great success.
The author, who himself served in Africa, England and France during the war and in Germany after the war, has managed to convincingly portray the fate of people on both sides of the front line.