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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
There are so many conflicting opinions on this, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Yes, Catherine is eccentric and a bit tiring when you are first introduced to her, but I grew to love her just as Frederic did. The ending of the book is worth the entire read, though I know some thought it was pretentious, I still stick with my love for Hemingway's works.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Me gusto, sin embargo no es una de las mejores historias de Hemingway. Es una novela triste y su final es demasiado predecible. Aun así para algunos sera un gran libro.
My first Hemingway novel and I was not impressed. I’d heard about his distinctive style and, whilst it’s certainly that, very often it is just inane. Characters just repeating the same pointless sentiments to one another. I suppose there is a decent representation of the atmosphere of the Italian front in WWI but, plot-wise, I found very little to care about. The ending is moderately shocking and memorable but for me that was too little too late. I’ll think twice before reading any other Hemingway, as if it’s like this then it’s not for me.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Unless I pick up something worse, this is going to be the worst read of the year by far. There were a lot of really promising passages where I was hoping for there to be some great points made and was disappointed every time.
At first, it seems like a novel about what it had been like to drive an ambulance in WWI. This was interesting, but extremely short-lived in favor of one of the worst romances I've read in my life. The main character's match regularly boasts having no attachments or interest in the world at all except for him after about two weeks of conversation. Most of her speaking lines were on the topic of having nobody else and wanting to interact with no one else (including both their families). I was hoping that this would evolve to some commentary about the two not being particularly suited to one another, but rather being forced together and only really wanting some semblance of normalcy or a desperation for someone to care about you when surrounded by war and death - but if this was a point he was trying to make, it wasn't very good. I really don't think Hemingway thought Miss Barkley was unusual or had reason to be dissatisfied.
I have to say, the book does pick up in the last quarter or so. Not enough to slog through the first 75% of the least exciting, zero chemistry romance you've ever read. The ending itself was unimpressive, and despite the big sad finish the only emotion I felt was joy that this horrible affair was all over.
At first, it seems like a novel about what it had been like to drive an ambulance in WWI. This was interesting, but extremely short-lived in favor of one of the worst romances I've read in my life. The main character's match regularly boasts having no attachments or interest in the world at all except for him after about two weeks of conversation. Most of her speaking lines were on the topic of having nobody else and wanting to interact with no one else (including both their families). I was hoping that this would evolve to some commentary about the two not being particularly suited to one another, but rather being forced together and only really wanting some semblance of normalcy or a desperation for someone to care about you when surrounded by war and death - but if this was a point he was trying to make, it wasn't very good. I really don't think Hemingway thought Miss Barkley was unusual or had reason to be dissatisfied.
I have to say, the book does pick up in the last quarter or so. Not enough to slog through the first 75% of the least exciting, zero chemistry romance you've ever read. The ending itself was unimpressive, and despite the big sad finish the only emotion I felt was joy that this horrible affair was all over.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was a bit underwhelmed by this book to be honest. I enjoyed Hemingway's prose and use of dialogue, as well as the banalities of that time period surrounding the war, but the romance between the two main characters felt a little performative at times and their dialogue did not feel like it aged well. As a woman reading this today, I couldn't help but feel like the love interest was made out to be someone Hemingway wanted her to be, not really what she would be like at the time. Through the end, she was obsessive over the way she performed in front of him, or how he perceived her, worrying about appearances as she slowly withered away, as he left her to drink throughout the labor and eat at the local cafe. It was jarring, to be honest, and dulled the emotional impact of the ending for me.
reflective
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes