A Farewell to Arms (Scribner Classics) by Ernest Hemingway Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Farewell to Arms (Scribner Classics)
Book Review: an overrated classic
Summary: 3 Stars
Although few will dispute the pedestal on which the literary community has placed this book, the merit is questionable. I found this book to have all the workings of a classic, but the execution of the story fell short. If you want to read "a good book," look no further. If you want to read a genuinely interesting book that is read because of it's merit and not it's reputation, keep on looking.Book Review: A fine novel, but ...
Summary: 3 Stars
I've read all of the reviews, good and bad, of this novel, and I can pretty much agree with all of them. The ones that praise it highly because it is a commentary on life and war are justified, but so are the ones that lambaste it based on its inane and tiresome dialogue, and weak characterization. It's a very easy book to read, and its fairly entertaining, but it didn't hit me like most "classics" do. I don't know what that exactly means, but I found myself critizing the book as I was reading it, instead of enjoying it, which can't be good :) It's worth the time to read it (especially since it shouldn't take you more than a week) because of its anti-war thesis, but it wouldn't be the kind of book I'd buy to keep on my shelf.Book Review: A masterpiece of literature
Summary: 5 Stars
"A Farewell to Arms" is truly a masterpiece. It leaves you asking questions. An answer to questions is sometimes thrown casually into the narration here and there. The narrator truly shares his experiences with you and does not simply tell a story but takes you into his thought and leaves you to draw some of your own conclusions of human nature and emotion. The first half of the book is about a man in war and the meaningless things that he practises as escape or to duty. He and the book make a transformation to a much more conscious state of emotion and drags you along for the ride. Hemingway's expert descriptiveness puts you into the stage of the story so that you can visualize all of it and he does it with an amazingly minimal amount of words or useless information that so often takes away from many authors effectiveness to convey the feeling of the story. It is beautifully composed so that you want to experience it yourself because you become so entangled in the character's emotions. One of the best pieces I have ever read.Book Review: Hemingway's romantic masterpiece stands test of time.
Summary: 5 Stars
Does A Farewell to Arms stand the test of time? Hemingway's autobiographical, dark vision of war is perhaps more in step with Post-Vietnam sensibilities than other World War One literature; the banter between protagonist Lt. Frederick Henry (a tribute to The Red Badge of Courage, whose hero is Henry Frederick) and his roommate, Rinaldi could easily have come from Hawkeye and Trapper. Yet it is the tender love story between Henry and Catherine Barkley which is the soul of the novel, and what keeps readers returning to it for 60 years now. The lustful scenes of nurse Catherine climbing under the covers with her recuperating patient (the details discreetly omitted) seem quaint by today's standards. And Catherine as "fallen woman" no longer plays to today's reader. Yet what could be more romantic than Henry and Catherine fleeing across the lake under cover of darkness to the sanctuary of Switzerland, or more gut-wrenching than Catherine's battle for life on the delivery table? Its often said that you either love Hemingway or hate him. A Farewell to Arms is Hemingway at the top of his game--if you don't love it you clearly fall into the latter category.Book Review: A Farewell to Arms: The perfect book for high school student
Summary: 5 Stars
Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms is a classic well suited to use as the subject for a high school report. His use of language is powerful and shows his skill as a writer. The integration of theme, subject, and setting make a novel that is an example of Hemingway's ability as a writer. It is not difficult to read or understand. The settings and characters are well done. I would highly recommend reading it.