Farewell to Arms, A
Hemmingway, ErnestNovel from the Italian front, 1918. About the love affair between an American ambulance driver and an English nurse. US.
Comments from Groups
For many the first read of Ernest Hemingway. Now dated but appropriate to be reading this book on the 100th anniversary of WW1. Many split participles - very annoying. Mangaweka 001Everyone appreciated the sparseness of Hemingway's prose. Agreed that his portrayal of women was weak - he just didn't understand women! Auckland 172Farewell to Arms was enjoyed by 11/12 members. It received many 9/10's and created interesting discussion. The unusual layering effect of the dialogue was appreciated. It was a great love story. Masterton 008Most felt that the writing style was dated but the telling of WW1 on the Italian front was very interesting. Whakatane 009Wide variation in views from "best book of the year" to "couldn't finish it". A wide ranging discussion about literary style and how the writing can indicate a period in time. Leithfield 001
Pages
286
286
Year
1926
1926
Reviews
18-07-2023
Two people in our group didn't like the "lean" writing style. I personally thought that added to the atmosphere and general hopelessness of war. Everything was bleak. "If you stay around they kill you in the end".
22-02-2021
Some found it tedious, and the sentences stilted. An interesting description of the 'era'.
22-02-2021
Great read!! Some of us had read this years ago, but really enjoyed it the second time around.
22-02-2021
A challenging read - certainly a book that needs revisiting. This book provided a catalyst for a long and interesting discussion on the times and values; of war and the way society was protected from the horrors of it, and the place of women in society!
22-02-2021
Not all read this book. Too much detail given at times making it tedious, but those who read it cover to cover did enjoy it.
22-02-2021
Very pleased that this went down very well - never sure when it's a "classic". Great for discussion of the few characters, WWI, and how dated it seemed. A really masculine book, with Catherine something of a male fantasy.
22-02-2021
It was interesting to read a well-known author. We found the ending was abrupt, however the war scenes were particularly descriptive and interesting.
22-02-2021
Most enjoyed. Some did not enjoy his staccato way of writing. Interesting dialogues. Well worth the read.
22-02-2021
We noticed the style of the time and the "conversational constraints", but were pleased to read this famous book.
19-02-2021
Expectations were high for this book. While it appealed to 1/3 of our group, we were generally disappointed. There was little detail given of the action of WWI on the Italian front, which was pivotal to the outcome of the war. The escape across the lake and mountains followed by the death of mother and child not plausible!
19-02-2021
We discussed the style - some disliked the repetition and inanity of the dialogue, others felt it gave a sense of the characters' situation and character. We acknowledged that although this was primarily a war story with all its terror, gore and gloom, the love story shone through - we enjoyed the colourful vignettes - eg. on the lake steering through the storm with an umbrella! Although a sad and doomed story, the end somehow satisfied.