Books

Rare first Russian book edition. Hemingway's third Russian book. All Russian editions of Hemingway's works printed before WWII are rare. One of 10 000 copies published. The first excerpts from Hemingway's novel 'A Farewell to Arms' (1929) appeared in Russian in 1934, published in the magazine 'Znamya' (No. 4) and translated by Petr Okhrimenko. Two years later, this translation was published in its entirety in the same magazine. Around the same time, another translation by Evgeniia Kalashnikova (1906–1976) emerged: first as a fragment in 'Internatsional'naya Literatura' (with the note 'authorized translation') and later as a standalone book.Kalashnikova was part of the 'workshop school' of Ivan Kashkin, a literary critic and translator who was 'responsible for Hemingway reputation in the USSR'. She, along with Nataliia Volzhina, later prepared the first Russian translation of 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'.The preface to the book was written by literary critic Sergey Dinamov…

Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" is a poignant novel set against the backdrop of World War I. The story follows the experiences of Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver in the Italian army, and his romance with Catherine Barkley, a British nurse. As the war rages on, Frederic becomes disillusioned with the conflict and seeks solace in his relationship with Catherine. Their love blossoms amidst the chaos of war, offering them brief moments of respite from the brutality surrounding them. However, their happiness is fragile, and tragedy looms over their romance. The novel explores themes of love, loss, disillusionment, and the futile nature of war. Hemingway's spare and straightforward prose style mirrors the stark realities faced by the characters, conveying the harshness of war and the complexities of human relationships. "A Farewell to Arms" is not just a war novel; it's a profound meditation on the human condition, capturing the essence of love and sacrifice in the face of adversity. Through Hemingway's masterful storytelling, the novel continues to resonate with readers, offering timeless insights into the human experience.