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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
This piece pictures war in such a rare and almost unbelievably moving way. The scenic views from Lago di Como, Lago Maggiore, Milano and many more places in Italy are beautifully written about, but because of the war so deeply depressing to read. The beauty, love and honesty Hemingway lets us experience in comradeship is so pure.
Fully fascinating to read about the Italian front and how the everyday life of these young men and women just revolves around mostly surviving and also living the day to the fullest whilst being surrounded by people you love, take care for and rely on.
I can honestly recommend this to anyone who’s interested in history, Italy in general and fully captivating writing.
Fully fascinating to read about the Italian front and how the everyday life of these young men and women just revolves around mostly surviving and also living the day to the fullest whilst being surrounded by people you love, take care for and rely on.
I can honestly recommend this to anyone who’s interested in history, Italy in general and fully captivating writing.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
I knew in advance what would happen, yet the ending still punched me in the gut.
I'm re-reading A Farewell to Arms. Or trying to. I got a version from the library that includes an introduction by Ernie Hemingway himself, as well as all his alternative endings and several early drafts of some passages. I thought it would be interesting for me, as a writer, to see how he did this. But first I have to finish it. I'm on page 257 of 284, so almost there, but a haven't really been swept off my feet with his style. "Curt and simple" some say, but there are a lot of rambling repetitive descriptions that made me wonder if he had an editor at times Or maybe that's heresy? His dialogue certainly is curt. More taciturn than a New England farmer. People now like to talk, but maybe it as different in Italy 100 years ago. And the characters, especially Catherine, seem shallow at times.
I'll make it through.
Edit - okay, I finished. Spoiler alert - Catherine dies. I didn't really care. And it seemed that the protagonist. Emmet. wasn't that upset either. I browsed the many alternate endings, and found them interesting. However, I don't think the problem with this was the wrong ending.
I'll make it through.
Edit - okay, I finished. Spoiler alert - Catherine dies. I didn't really care. And it seemed that the protagonist. Emmet. wasn't that upset either. I browsed the many alternate endings, and found them interesting. However, I don't think the problem with this was the wrong ending.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rinaldi had a crush on Henry
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first Hemingway and I enjoyed it very much so. It was strange how little yet how much happened. Didn't expect such ending after the tone the rest of the book was written in.
It’s really difficult to personally enjoy a book that was a reading assignment in High School. This was one of the few exceptions. Hemingway’s casual yet eloquent voice and style drew me in, and despite not being able to relate whatsoever with the characters’ lives and situations (World War I was a century ago!), the emotion and behaviors tied to these characters struck a chord within me, and ever since I’ve been a fan of Hemingway’s works. Both people wanting a war account and those of us that love a heart-wrenching love story will find something to enjoy in this novel.