The gap between humanity's noble words and its dishonorable deeds was never more obvious than during World War I. For this reason the war serves brilliantly as the setting for Hemingway's novel of love and disillusionment. The story begins in the summer of 1915. This is about the time that Italy joined the war. The starting place is a city named Gorizia located in Northeastern Italy near the front with Austria-Hungary. This is where Frederic lives along with the rest of the officers. As the story develops, Frederic ends up in many different cities and towns, all along the Italian-Austrian front. The story ends in the late spring of 1918 not in Italy but rather in Lausanne, Switze

Several months later after surgery and physical therapy for his knee and leg, Frederic returns to the front and has to leave Catherine. However he was not there long. Within days of his arrival the Italians begin a retreat from the front. Lieutenant Henry along with three other drivers are ordered to take the ambulances and join the retreat. By the time they get to the Tagliamento river Frederic had lost all four ambulances and two drivers. As he crosses the Tagliamento Bridge the military police, or carabinieri, are arresting higher-ranking officers, giving them summary trials, and shooting them for desertion. Even though he's only a tenant, Henry, because he speaks accented Italian, is seized as a German infiltrator. At this point the reader notices an internal conflict in Frederic. He must make a decision between running and deserting the Italian army or taking his chances trying to explain his situation to the carabinieri: "I did not know whether to wait to be questioned or make a break now" (224). This point is the climax of the novel.

When spring rolls back around Frederic returns to the front. Henry learns from his roommate, Rinaldi, that British nurses are now stationed in the area hospital and that Rinaldi has his eye on one, an English woman named Catherine Barkely. Rinaldi drags Henry along to visit the nurses. Catherine and Henry are instantly attracted to each other. On the way home Rinaldi says, "Miss Barkley prefers you to me. That is sure" (21). Rinaldi is mildly hurt, but he recovers. At the front, the Italian offensive begins. Henry and four drivers take shelter in a dugout that comes under Austrian bombardment where they are hit by an Austrian trench mortar. Lieutenant Henry is wounded badly in the legs: "I knew that I was hit and I leaned over and put my hand on my knee. My knee wasn't there. My hand went in and my knee was down on my shin" (55). He hears good news that he'll be moved to an American hospital in Milan and that Catherine has been transferred there. During the months at th!

This novel was truly satisfying to read. It wasn't a suspenseful, action-filled book however it was a talented book and it applies to the world. It was especially skillful the way in which this book was able to weave history and fiction into one great fabric. Having read this book one can easily see why it has been labeled as one of the greatest works of 20th century literature. For these reasons if I were to rate this book I would give it an eight on a scale of one to ten. Earnest Hemingway did a great job in writing this book and everyone should read it if they get a chance.

Catherine Barkley is a British nurse. Her attitude is more complex than Henrys. She seems to want affection, but is vulnerable because the previous year a

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Approximate Word count = 1866
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)