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A Farewell to Arms

Ernest Hemingway

Start date: February 1, 2016

Finish date: February 29, 2016

Discussion: New School Classics- 1915-2005

Why we're reading this: Revisit the Shelf Reread, February 2016

Past Reads:
Book of the Month, April 2012
[close] Revisit the Shelf Reread, February 2016

Past Reads:
Book of the Month, April 2012

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New School Classics- 1915-2005

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What Members Thought

Feb 19, 2017 Ian Anderson rated it liked it · review of another edition

Now that I've calmed down a bit, I might be able to write something about this novel. This is only my second experience with Hemingway, the first being the Old Man and the Sea which was much different. I will be jumping into more of his work one of these days.

My first reaction to the book was in regards to the way the sentences are structured like it was written by a young child. It's certainly not limited in run-ons and babbling. Many of the characters aren't all that likable to me to be comple Now that I've calmed down a bit, I might be able to write something about this novel. This is only my second experience with Hemingway, the first being the Old Man and the Sea which was much different. I will be jumping into more of his work one of these days.

My first reaction to the book was in regards to the way the sentences are structured like it was written by a young child. It's certainly not limited in run-ons and babbling. Many of the characters aren't all that likable to me to be completely honest. The protagonist Frederic and his beloved Miss Barkley get annoying from time to time with their constant rambling. Nevertheless, I still rooted for them to escape the war together.

“It came very fast and the sun went a dull yellow and then everything was gray and the sky was covered and the cloud came on down the mountain and suddenly we were in it and it was snow.”

As I adapted to the way the book is written I better understood why it was done that way. It allows for the reader to imagine the way Frederic's mind works. Frederic tells his story as it pours out of him; with raw emotion and not with regard for how it might look in written form. The sentences are often structured as if his thoughts are being rolled out directly onto the pages. At least this is what I took from it. Despite this adjustment to the writing, I thought it was a very smooth and elegant read. I admired numerous scenes that are beautiful in its descriptions and flow effortlessly.

There are certain books that draw the reader into the story and seem simplistic but the meaning behind specific sentences often go overlooked. Reading it again will reveal these meanings and provide a better appreciation for the book as a whole. I believe this is one of those books. From simply looking at some of the quotes on here from the novel there is so much foreshadowing and small details I missed it's currently blowing my mind. The book tackles deep subjects of love and mortality while still containing many humorous moments throughout. It will also leave you feeling exactly like Bradley Cooper's character in that scene from Silver Linings Playbook. (Don't look this up if you intend on reading A Farewell To Arms!) ...more

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Apr 14, 2014 Michael Sump rated it it was amazing

I've read this novel several times over the past 40 years but decided it was time to reread it. It is a brilliant book and deserves its reputation as a stylistic tour de force. Hemingway has his critics and I understand some of the criticisms but freely acknowledge that I am a big fan. He writes with clarity and power and no one tells a better story IMO. This is not my favorite book by Hemingway but it is very good. It's so good that I intend to reread "For Whom the Bell Tolls," which is my favo ...more

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