Customer Reviews

A Farewell to Arms

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"I rewrote the ending to Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied" - Ernest Hemingway

I have read this book twice now, across the period of about 15 months. The first time I read it and finished the last page, I closed the book slowly and just sat there in silence for about ten seconds. The only thing I could think of was - "that was the best ending of any book I have ever read, in my entire life."

I put off writing a review, because I really just don't know what to say about it, and I wanted to read it twice first. I had the same feelings the second time. I've read three or four Hemingway books now, and I'm getting very accustomed to his writing style, and I love it. The emotions and characters come off the page with simple unobstructed prose. His words simply don't distract you with intricate words or complicated sentences. The work and effort it must take in order to make his writing so clear.. is just beyond me.

This book, to me, seemed to just tell a plain old story, nothing all that exciting. There are memorable scenes during the course for sure... but the ending will just blow you away. If you start this book, you need to finish it. I don't expect that I will ever come across another ending which is as well written as this one. I simply could not believe the last couple of pages and how emotional and stunning they were.

I also read this particular printing. I got it for $2 outside the Salvation Army in Cambridge during a book sale. The book itself was in very good condition. The pages are thick, the binding is decent, and the hardcover is nice. Older books have a different quality about them compared to modern printings, and I like the older books better. The feel of the book, the smell of the pages.... if you are to buy a copy of this book, opposed to a library checkout, this printing is a nice one to have. I'd prefer this printing over a modern paperback any day of the week.

A Farewell to Arms is a sentimental downer, reread after the onset of adulthood. It's a tale from which teenagers can learn depressing and disorienting notions of heroism and futility. This is the very same edition I read in the late 1950s, when I was a teenager. I liked it moderately well then, though I thought it was affected and manneristic in style. I've liked it less every time I've looked at it since, but it is the best of H's novels and will continue to excite new readers into the foreseeable future. I hope they will be wise enough to see through the mystique.