Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
This book reminded me of a bad TV show my daughter likes.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager. In it, teen characters
woodenly spout lines with little emotion (especially little
sister Ashley - man! Buy an expression for your face!)
Hemingway's dialogue felt as wooden & unrealistic to me.
Maybe there was some point to that?
I've finally read Hemingway - check. Never have to do that again.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager. In it, teen characters
woodenly spout lines with little emotion (especially little
sister Ashley - man! Buy an expression for your face!)
Hemingway's dialogue felt as wooden & unrealistic to me.
Maybe there was some point to that?
I've finally read Hemingway - check. Never have to do that again.
Not sure this stands up to the test of time. I loved it as a teenager when it all seemed adventurous, passionate, worldly, illicit... Now it just seems rather ordinary. When I was young, I appreciated Hemingway's terse style of writing. Now I wish someone had given him a thesaurus. I got tired of hearing that everything was grand and lovely. I might not have finished it had it not been for the brilliant narration of John Slattery (Mad Men).
**Review from May 2011, transferred from Shelfari**
I tried and tried to like this book but due to Hemingway's frustrating habit of writing run-on sentences which go on forever (like this) as well as his lack of descriptive imagination I just couldn't take it seriously. War is grim, we get it. Plus, the love story was utterly preposterous. Lighten up Hemingway you utter bore.
I tried and tried to like this book but due to Hemingway's frustrating habit of writing run-on sentences which go on forever (like this) as well as his lack of descriptive imagination I just couldn't take it seriously. War is grim, we get it. Plus, the love story was utterly preposterous. Lighten up Hemingway you utter bore.
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was *incredibly* depressing, even for me.
Also, so. Much. Drinking. *_*
Also, so. Much. Drinking. *_*
4.5 stars
Hemingway's minimalism and dialogue has always intrigued me, and "A Farewell to Arms" encapsulates just why I love his work so much. A beautifully written narrative, gorgeous dialogue, and a profound usage of WW1 in contrast with the relationship at the heart of the novel are just a few of the reasons why this book is so memorable.
Not Hemingway's best novel, in my opinion, but definitely an excellent piece of work nonetheless.
Hemingway's minimalism and dialogue has always intrigued me, and "A Farewell to Arms" encapsulates just why I love his work so much. A beautifully written narrative, gorgeous dialogue, and a profound usage of WW1 in contrast with the relationship at the heart of the novel are just a few of the reasons why this book is so memorable.
Not Hemingway's best novel, in my opinion, but definitely an excellent piece of work nonetheless.
Gun cupboard love: I find Hemingway a challenge with his macho, huntin’ shootin’ fishin’ image and a vague uneasy feeling that he’s a poster boy for preppers and vigilantes everywhere (but mainly in America). Rather a surprise then at this first dip into the Ernest world that it’s a tender love story as much as a meditation on the theme that man who is of woman born has but a short time to live. I don’t fancy the bullfighting much but maybe should give him another go. Anyone who can quote Westron Wynd in a modern setting can’t be just muscles and gum-chewing.
I just could not get into this book. It was hard to connect with the protagonist and the story that Hemingway was trying to tell until books 4 and 5.
Read it because it is Hemingway, if you must, but it lacks the action of a great story about war and the emotional depth needed to be a great love story.
Read it because it is Hemingway, if you must, but it lacks the action of a great story about war and the emotional depth needed to be a great love story.