Publisher and Publication Date: Scribner. 2014. First published in 1929. Genre: Fiction. American literature. Classic literature. War literature. Pages: 330. Format: Paperback. Source: Self-purchase. Audience: Ernest Hemingway readers. Readers with an interest in early 20th century American literature which includes post World War I years.
Rating: Very good.
Link for the book @ Amazon.
Understanding Ernest Hemingway’s writing style. From Book Analysis.
Britannica.
American Literature.
Website for Ernest Hemingway.
The Hemingway Society.
An article on the man, Ernest Hemingway. From, American Magazine.
Ernest Hemingway. From PBS, American Masters.
Summary:
A Farewell To Arms is the story of Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an ambulance driver in the Italian Army. He is an American who is the Italian Army during World War I.
The story is his experiences in the war, and his romantic relationship with a nurse named Miss Catherine Barkley.
The story takes place in the late summer, probably 1917. On page 16, Catherine and Lt. Henry are having a conversation about whether he had been in the Battle of Somme, he said no. The Battle of Somme took place in 1916. This battle was the previous year.
Starting on page 15 is when they met and first talked. Catherine mentions her previous love had died in that battle. She began nursing in 1915. This part of the book is important to read as it shares important pieces of their lives, and it gives a strong hint of how they came together, and how their relationship expresses itself.
Themes in A Farewell To Arms: romance, relationships both romantic and friendship, war, death and dying, hope, fear, insecurity, trust, and injustice.
My Thoughts:
This is the second time to read A Farewell To Arms. The first time was in 2012.
This is a sad story. Don’t read the story expecting a feel-good ending.
My first thought is why did Ernest Hemingway rewrite the ending so many times. In the Appendix II, there is a list of alternative endings he wrote. It is stated he wanted to “get it right.” But what does he mean by that? What is right to him? Of course, we cannot ask him.
A second thought I have is I noticed the strong anxiety Catherine has in their relationship. She is clingy and insecure. Of course, her previous love had died in a battle, this is an obvious reason for her behavior. Lt. Henry has a protective love for her, an adoration even. I believe she is his angel during the time of war. His grasp on what is the only good thing during this time of war. I have great empathy for both of them. It is easy to become invested in this story because I had to know the outcome.
There are several scenes of battles and events that are tough to read. The emphasis of the story is Lt. Henry and the relationship with Catherine. Hemingway though never lets the reader forget there is a war. The war is who has control. The war demands attention and allegiance.
I began reading last night another Ernest Hemingway story, The Sun Also Rises. The characters are American and British who live in Paris, post-World War I years. I’m in chapter 8. The story has a strong theme of male and female relationships, not necessarily married, but how they respond and communicate with one another. Other themes are expectations versus reality, culture and society of the sexes during this era, and lust or is it love.
I have plans to read more Ernest Hemingway books beyond The Sun Also Rises.
July 14, 2023
[Review] A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway | Impressions In Ink
maximios Review
Publisher and Publication Date: Scribner. 2014. First published in 1929. Genre: Fiction. American literature. Classic literature. War literature. Pages: 330. Format: Paperback. Source: Self-purchase. Audience: Ernest Hemingway readers. Readers with an interest in early 20th century American literature which includes post World War I years.
Rating: Very good.
Link for the book @ Amazon.
Understanding Ernest Hemingway’s writing style. From Book Analysis.
Britannica.
American Literature.
Website for Ernest Hemingway.
The Hemingway Society.
An article on the man, Ernest Hemingway. From, American Magazine.
Ernest Hemingway. From PBS, American Masters.
Summary:
A Farewell To Arms is the story of Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an ambulance driver in the Italian Army. He is an American who is the Italian Army during World War I.
The story is his experiences in the war, and his romantic relationship with a nurse named Miss Catherine Barkley.
The story takes place in the late summer, probably 1917. On page 16, Catherine and Lt. Henry are having a conversation about whether he had been in the Battle of Somme, he said no. The Battle of Somme took place in 1916. This battle was the previous year.
Starting on page 15 is when they met and first talked. Catherine mentions her previous love had died in that battle. She began nursing in 1915. This part of the book is important to read as it shares important pieces of their lives, and it gives a strong hint of how they came together, and how their relationship expresses itself.
Themes in A Farewell To Arms: romance, relationships both romantic and friendship, war, death and dying, hope, fear, insecurity, trust, and injustice.
My Thoughts:
This is the second time to read A Farewell To Arms. The first time was in 2012.
This is a sad story. Don’t read the story expecting a feel-good ending.
My first thought is why did Ernest Hemingway rewrite the ending so many times. In the Appendix II, there is a list of alternative endings he wrote. It is stated he wanted to “get it right.” But what does he mean by that? What is right to him? Of course, we cannot ask him.
A second thought I have is I noticed the strong anxiety Catherine has in their relationship. She is clingy and insecure. Of course, her previous love had died in a battle, this is an obvious reason for her behavior. Lt. Henry has a protective love for her, an adoration even. I believe she is his angel during the time of war. His grasp on what is the only good thing during this time of war. I have great empathy for both of them. It is easy to become invested in this story because I had to know the outcome.
There are several scenes of battles and events that are tough to read. The emphasis of the story is Lt. Henry and the relationship with Catherine. Hemingway though never lets the reader forget there is a war. The war is who has control. The war demands attention and allegiance.
I began reading last night another Ernest Hemingway story, The Sun Also Rises. The characters are American and British who live in Paris, post-World War I years. I’m in chapter 8. The story has a strong theme of male and female relationships, not necessarily married, but how they respond and communicate with one another. Other themes are expectations versus reality, culture and society of the sexes during this era, and lust or is it love.
I have plans to read more Ernest Hemingway books beyond The Sun Also Rises.