erinjandacreative's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think this is one of the only fictional books I’ve read set during the First World War. Additionally, it is one of the few books I’ve read that follows the experiences of the soldiers in the war. Obviously this book is fictional and was perhaps inspired by some of Ernest Hemingway’s own real life experiences, but I found this story to be eye-opening, touching, and intimate.
The dialogue throughout the story is so realistic to how people converse. The descriptions of the landscape and the natural world are also stunning and vivid. Even if you aren’t familiar with the parts of Italy and Switzerland described in the book, you can see the mountains, lakes, and valleys so clearly in your mind as you read the words.
One of my favorite quotes from the book occurs in Chapter 34: “The world breaks every one and afterword many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
This book is tragic and sad and yet so beautiful. Definitely one that I would recommend.
The dialogue throughout the story is so realistic to how people converse. The descriptions of the landscape and the natural world are also stunning and vivid. Even if you aren’t familiar with the parts of Italy and Switzerland described in the book, you can see the mountains, lakes, and valleys so clearly in your mind as you read the words.
One of my favorite quotes from the book occurs in Chapter 34: “The world breaks every one and afterword many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
This book is tragic and sad and yet so beautiful. Definitely one that I would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, War, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, and Pregnancy
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