A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemmingway

Set during World War I, when the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, Italy) were fighting against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary) although America had not yet officially joined the war, this book tells the story of Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an American volunteer who serves with the Italian Red Cross ambulance service. The novel does not describe the war through large battles or military strategies, but focuses more on the people living through the war and how it affects their lives, relationships, and choices.

The story was no doubt partly based on Hemingway’s own experiences as an ambulance driver in Italy during World War I. One of the similarities is that Frederic is seriously wounded by a mortar shell at Fossalta di Piave, just as Hemingway was in real life. Hemingway was also deeply in love with an American nurse, Agnes von Kurowsky, while recovering from his wounds. In the novel, Catherine Barkley has some similarities to Agnes, so there are clear connections between Hemingway’s own life and Frederic’s story.

From Henry’s point of view, the war seems useless. At first, he joins the war as a volunteer and accepts his duty in the Italian ambulance service. But after seeing the reality of war, he becomes more skeptical about it. He sees many soldiers wounded and killed, the confusion during the retreat, and even his own army treating its soldiers badly. He realizes that the war is not as glorious as people say.

I agree with Henry that his life and Catherine’s life are more important than a war that he no longer believes in. However, I think the way he leaves the army is reckless. He could perhaps have tried to resign properly instead of escaping and becoming a deserter. Still, I understand why he does it. His character changes from someone who accepts the war without thinking much about it to someone who chooses his own life, love, and freedom instead.

This is my first time reading Hemingway, his style is simple and contains much more dialogue than description. Hemingway rarely explains what Frederic Henry is thinking or feeling. Because of this, I sometimes found it difficult to understand Henry's emotions and motivations. However, I realized that this is Hemingway's unique style. He lets readers understand the characters through their actions and conversations instead of directly explaining their inner thoughts. Very enjoyable to read, open my eyes differently what a war is, and I agree with Hemingway even he dosn't simply write that 'War is useless'.

"If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward 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."

Rating Ruang Buku Megga : ✭✭✭✭ (4/5 stars)

Title :  A Farewell To Arms

Author : Ernest Hemmingway

Publisher : Vintage Classics
Year :  2022 (First Published in 1929 )
Format / Pages : Softcover / 293 pages
ISBN : 9780099273974