Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
37(37%)
4 stars
33(33%)
3 stars
29(29%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews
July 14,2025
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Perhaps your opinion will change about Hemingway if you read this novel. It is a novel about love and war in a different language, with beautiful descriptions and dialogues that are among the most wonderful. It is no wonder that this novel is the best thing Hemingway has written. Everything is magical in the novels, the relationships, the friendships, the battles. Hemingway writes as if he is describing a real scene, as if he is writing a real reality in front of him. You feel as if you are involved in the war, falling in love, and eager to sit with the characters to talk to them, to amuse them, and to burst into crazy laughter at some situations. The novel is long indeed, but it is not of the heavy type. It is not one of those novels that require a lot of focus and entanglement in the relationships and the story and so on. Everything is simple. This novel is written for entertainment, so that the reader can sit and flip through it without boredom or monotony in the events. I do not claim that there is no boredom in some pages and some dialogues that were written as if only to add more pages. But in any case, the novel is charming even when you put it down. You hope to return to it as soon as possible. It is about 480 pages approximately. I don't know how it started or how it ended. Everything ended quickly like wars do. As for love, it is another matter. A different kind of love, a silly, beautiful, repetitive, and simple love. A story filled with naivety, a quiet romance that makes the end difficult to accept, difficult to explain, as you become attached to the characters. I warn you, in the end, this novel will break your heart as it did to mine..


I highly recommend it..

July 14,2025
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It's really hard for me to write about Heminway. The reason for this is mainly due to a kind of frustration that comes to me after reading his works. A few days ago, I had a small discussion with one of my friends about Heminway, and I almost want to bring up those same words now because they exactly explain my situation.


You see, I know what Heminway is saying. I understand his goals and intentions. I'm okay with the simple writing and profound meaning of this matter to a certain extent. However, for me, Heminway's books and pen are not what they should be. I don't get the feeling that everyone else gets from him. Despite its simplicity and straightforwardness, it doesn't attract me and doesn't make me think it's important. And this makes me feel sad. You know, it gives a person a sense of alienation that many people like these works and I'm not among this group. Yes, I know that not everyone is going to like all books and writers, and that's natural. But from this perspective, it's a bit uncomfortable for me that Heminway is one of the greats of world literature and I can't establish a connection with him and enjoy his work.


However, the score I gave is not just for this reason. The love parts in the book, in my opinion, are extremely loose and repetitive most of the time. However, I can't give less than two stars. It's mainly because of the respect I have for Heminway, and I feel that it's more because of my taste and feeling than a problem with the book. I still have a bit more to get to know...


Well, this is not one of the reviews I always write and like. It's more like I'm just blabbering, but as I said, it's really hard for me to write about Heminway.


That's it. I'll put down a passage that I liked from the book here.


"Where will we live after the war?"


He said, "Maybe in the house of an old family. For three years I was waiting like the kids for the war to end at Christmas. Now I'm waiting for the time when my son will get the rank of captain."


"Maybe he'll become a general."


"If this war lasts a hundred years, he'll have time to pass both ranks."

July 14,2025
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Welcome to...A February to Arms.


You know it, you love it. A bad month and title pun, an intimidating book, and me, at the beginning-ish of February. It's another installment of Project Long Classics, in which every(ish) month I read a long(ish) classic in small(ish) chunks to make them less scary.


Because I'm picky about what I read. Unless you put it on a list titled "Books You Must Read in a Lifetime." Then I'm falling for it every time.


The book has 41 chapters, each with its own unique charm. From the setting description in Chapter 1 to the emotional turmoil in the later chapters, it takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of the protagonist.


The dialogue in this book is snappy and engaging. We have a bunch of yappers on our hands, which makes for some interesting conversations.


The author, Hemingway, has a way of making things that should be clichéd and trite feel totally new. His writing style is both简洁 and powerful, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.


Overall, this book has its strengths and weaknesses. While it may not be the best war novel out there, it does have some very memorable characters and moments. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a classic read with a bit of a twist.


Rating: 3.5
July 14,2025
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Love story during the war was with a bitter ending!

No matter how well the events in the story progressed, its ending was bitter.

The vivid and touching descriptions and the good characterization of the features of this work are of Ernest Hemingway.

This story takes us into a world of turmoil and conflict, where love struggles to survive.

The characters are brought to life with such detail that we can almost feel their emotions.

Despite the hardships and challenges they face, their love persists, but unfortunately, it is not enough to overcome the残酷 reality of war.

The story serves as a reminder of the power of love and the devastating impact of war on human lives.

It makes us think about the sacrifices and losses that people endure during times of conflict and the importance of珍惜 the moments of love and happiness that we have.

Hemingway's writing style adds to the intensity and authenticity of the story, making it a truly memorable and moving piece of literature.
July 14,2025
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The completion of this book was comparable to the passing of its much-respected translator, Mr. Daryabandari. Their souls found eternal peace.

This book holds a special significance not only for its content but also because of the efforts put in by the translator. Mr. Daryabandari dedicated a great deal of his time and energy to bring this work to life.

His passing is a great loss to the literary world. However, his translation will continue to be a source of inspiration and knowledge for many.

The book stands as a testament to his skills and passion for translation. It will be remembered and cherished by readers for years to come.

May his soul rest in peace.
July 14,2025
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In the time of war, there is something truly hopeless in love.

"A Farewell to Arms" was the very first novel that I had the opportunity to read in English. It left an incredibly strong impression on me, one that has endured throughout the years. Ever since then, I can't think of it without being overcome by a wave of nostalgia.

The story is filled with powerful and poignant moments, such as the exchange between the characters:
And you’ll always love me won’t you? Yes. And the rain won’t make any difference? No.

Their love seems to be defying the chaos and destruction of war, but as the saying goes, "till war do us part." The novel beautifully captures the complexity and fragility of love in the most challenging of circumstances, making it a truly unforgettable read.

July 14,2025
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Ernest Hemingway's masterpiece "A Farewell to Arms" is a narrative of events and happenings that occur to an Italian officer on the battlefield of World War I.
One of the remarkable features of the book is the description of the war events and the soldiers' efforts to carry out their missions. Thanks to the author's presence on the battlefields of World War I, these descriptions become more realistic. And ultimately, amid all the turmoil of war, there is a story of an extraordinary love.
It should be noted that if you decide to read this masterpiece, you must definitely take action to prepare some whiskey in advance.

July 14,2025
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Remarkably, Hemingway wrote the ending thirty-nine times to have it conclude to his satisfaction.

The ending, without giving away any spoilers, was truly the best part of the book for me. It was like a carefully crafted gem that shone brightly among the pages.

As for the rest of the book, it didn't quite have the impact I was expecting, considering that it deals with the horrors of World War I. This has a fair bit to do with Hemingway's stilted writing style. There is simply no comparison with masterpieces like All Quiet on the Western Front or Paths of Glory.

However, A Farewell to Arms works better as a love story. I was deeply moved by the ending, and it was evident that Hemingway's 39 attempts to get it right had paid off. The emotions were palpable and tugged at my heartstrings.

The 1957 film based on this book, with Rock Hudson in the lead role, is also pretty good. It can be easily found and watched on YouTube, allowing viewers to experience the story in a different medium.
July 14,2025
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Literary activism has given birth to remarkable works like A Farewell To Arms. Ernest Hemingway, who had witnessed war firsthand, penned this masterpiece to explain why wars should never occur in the first place. The world was touched by the honesty and the elegant nonchalance with which he depicted the brutalities of war, awarding him the Nobel Prize for Literature. However, the true message that the writer intended to convey seems to have been forgotten. This is precisely why wars continue to break out and show no sign of stopping.


A Farewell To Arms, one of the most poignantly written fictional works of the first half of the 20th century, tells the story of two individuals striving to escape a world driven insane by the bloodlust of war. The young American ambulance driver, Frederic Henry, and the beautiful English nurse, Catherine Barkley, meet in Italy amidst a backdrop of bloodshed and mayhem. In each other's arms, they find a safe haven and a glimmer of hope for surviving the war and having a future together.


Henry's romance with Catherine is intertwined with his experiences at the war front, creating one of the most emotionally captivating reads. At the end of the book, one might be tempted to view Frederic and Catherine's romance as an allegory of war. The tragic death of Catherine and the stillbirth of their child, coinciding with the end of World War I, perhaps serves as the author's way of emphasizing that even when war ends, it leaves behind unimaginable devastation.


If one were to point out the fallacies or seemingly weaker points of the book, the dialogue could be a subject of criticism. Lines like 'You're such a sweet girl.' or 'You're so sweet', and Rinaldi's constant references to Henry as 'baby' may seem overused. However, considering the time period in which the book was written, this was likely the common way of speaking. Therefore, it cannot be considered a significant shortcoming in the literal sense.


In conclusion, A Farewell To Arms will always be remembered as an eternally true and enduring tale of human misery that is bound to move readers to tears for generations to come.

July 14,2025
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Not entirely sure what to say about this one.

I finished it a few hours ago and have been processing the thoughts and emotions in my head. There is clearly a charged, personal story that courses through the centre of this novel. I usually do a lot more research when reading the classics, but for some reason I don't have the energy to do so at the moment. All I can do is talk about what I thought in a raw and intimate way.

I remember seeing the famous A Farewell to Arms scene in Silver Linings Playbook. For some reason, I never forgot the emotional tone of those few minutes. These reactions are what the book is made of.

Hemingway's portrayal of warfare (especially WWI, my god) is almost fully in the background. We are not there on the frontlines with the action. Instead, we see the physical and psychological ramifications. Lots of soldiers show reactions that I assume I would show if I was to be in that situation. Bitter apathy and a constant desire to go home. What is the point of all of this? I just want a bit of good food and the love of my life falling asleep in my arms. But here we are. Here is my mate, face down in the mud, bullet hole through the chin and the top of the head. Did he need to die? Doubt it.

Lots of drinking, lots of "manly man male macho man" emotions (that is to say, a grunt). I understand Bradley Cooper referring to Henry as the "Hemingway character" – I feel as though you cannot help but identify the main character with Hemingway, sitting there with a cigar and a typewriter. And alcohol. The more I go forward with Hemingway, the more tempted I will be to revisit the book I read that was filled with his thoughts on writing. I know he had some lofty aspirations there, like taking on Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. Not quite sure he achieved that for me, but he's not bad. Not bad at all.
July 14,2025
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The way I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, narrated by John Slattery, truly didn't do it full justice.


I was on holidays, far away from home and my regular commuting and exercising routines. As a result, I could only listen in short snippets. Sometimes, it was just before going to sleep, and at other times, when I woke up in the early hours of the morning and wanted to drift back to sleep. I often had to re-listen to the parts I'd missed due to dozing off. This, of course, didn't make for a seamless and cohesive literary experience. Additionally, it's a relatively short book, yet it took me about a month to finish. This isn't ideal considering my poor memory for plot details.


That being said, I ended up enjoying the book far more than I initially expected. I haven't read an enormous amount of Hemingway, but I've read enough to know that he's not my favorite writer. However, I do like the deceptive simplicity of Hemingway's prose. It's a simplicity that is extraordinarily difficult to achieve. I also appreciate the way he used his personal experience as a volunteer ambulance driver at the Italian front during World War I to ground the plot. And I'm grateful that there is no bullfighting in this novel, a passion of Hemingway's that I can't quite relate to.


Slattery's narration is excellent. Fortunately, he's not one of those male narrators who resorts to falsetto when voicing a female character. Overall, this has been an unusual audiobook experience for me, but one that has been worthwhile nonetheless.


July 14,2025
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It is a truly powerful story, one that is both beautiful and deeply sad. It is a war novel that delves into the lives of men. These men question, they drink, they visit the front brothel, they fight, they die, or they are wounded. And all the while, they are trying to make sense of where this war is leading them.

It is also a love story that spans an hour, a night, and even a lifetime. It fills the void of a man's solitude with the horror of war, which only grows in the face of the absurdity of grand words like "duty and honour".

The novel is characterized by a rich vocabulary, a particular rhythm of short sentences, and numerous repetitions, which give it an Italian tone, yet it is very American at the same time. The author masterfully uses words to describe various scenes, especially the fights, and modifies his style according to the nationality and character of the characters. It is a well-researched and compelling story, a genuine novel where a man finds himself exposed, facing his fears and his joys. In tone, it is a modern book, a great novel indeed!

The first few pages initially gave me a bit of a hard time. I could understand the meaning but struggled with the style. However, I persisted, and I'm glad I did. It was so well-written, and the story truly moved me to the core!
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