Status Updates From Ginster

Ginster's conscription into service drags on for more than 50 pages. Military service behind the lines resembles an absurd theater. Soldiers are dehumanized as goods at disposure. Folding the sheets exactly and the correct salutation take a huge space even in war times. Nepotism saves some while others are subjected to constant harassment.

Nihilistic philosophy. The trouble of being born: "Die Menschen sind an ihrem Leben interessiert, sie haben Ziele für sich, wollen besitzen und etwas erreichen. Jeder Mensch, den ich kenne, ist eine Festung. Ich selbst will nichts. Sie werden mich nicht verstehen, aber am liebsten zerrieselte ich."

Figurative language. Things get human characteristics, humans are compared with items. Descriptions can be surreal, a bit expressionistic, resembling Döblin's writing.
Patriotism and war support is dissected into its driving motivations, related feelings and consequences. The result shows the ridiculousness. With each death, sorrow takes over. Ginster's relief of being alive outweighs his grief about a friends death.

Reminds me of Robert Walser. The protagonist alias the author ranks himself lowly. He fails to see success. He doesn't push through. He became architect because he liked to draw ornaments. But he doesn't enjoy seeing his designs being build. He is unable to take up a relationship. Even his volunteering for military service on the outbreak of WW I is turned down.

A slog