A review by seanml
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.25

There aren't many things to say about A Farewell to Arms, but then again there doesn't need to be. Isn't that the whole point of Hemingway? Yes, Hemingway was not the greatest person to live, and because Lieutenant Henry is a near-self insert, the thought comes up from time to time. Somewhat apathetic, privileged and nonchalantly racist, the main character doesn't change those qualities very much. But that's not the point of the story anyways. Hemingway paints a very clear picture, using very little words, of the small daily pleasantries and happinesses of life - and their ultimate futility and inefficacy in comparison to the grandest of life's problems. It is a very somber gaze into the shadow of human history. 8.5/10.
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