"In typical Ernest Hemingway fashion, the author draws highly on his autobiographical experiences in “A Farewell to Arms,” adds enough fiction to soften up the edges, and creates one of his best classics. Set in war-torn Italy during World War I, this novel is a tragic love story, a story that concentrates more on the relationships of Frederick and Catherine. Frederick is injured in battle and Catherine is the British nurse who helps him mend (Hemingway himself was the first American injured in that war!). The two lovers are star-crossed and here is Hemingway at his pessimestic best. It is an absorbing story, capturing the essence of the great Hemingway writing style: lots of dialogue; short, easy to read sentences; and highly autobiographical. This is an exceptional example of the Nobel Prize winner's best known works.
"
Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar
"It is set in WWI when a soldier and a nurse fall in love. The action was terribly slow until the last few pages when the events really surprised me."
Sarah Bunch, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of A Farewell to Arms
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- depressed
Time/era of story
- 1900-1920's
Culture clash?
- visiting a culture in other country
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Outside culture (society)
- Italian
War/Revolt/Disaster on civilians
Yes
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Conflict:
- War, general
- War, WW I
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- infantry soldier
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- natural phenomena
- society
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a substantial amount
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 5 (an average amount)
Europe
Yes
European country:
- Italy
- Switzerland
Mountains/Cliffs
Yes
Mountains:
- climbing on trails
Misc setting
- resort/hotel
- fort/military installation
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Unusual Style:
- a lot of stream of consciousness
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
