Books

First edition, first printing, in the attractive dust jacket designed by Cleonike Damianakes (1895-1979), renowned for her classical-style designs favoured by the Lost Generation writers. The first printing is distinguished by the lack of the legal disclaimer which appeared on p. x in the second and third printings. A Farewell to Arms was based on Hemingway's experiences as an ambulance driver at the Italian Front during the First World War. It was written at the peak of his success and met with wide acclaim. The critic James Aswell offered particularly lavish praise: "I have finished A Farewell to Arms, and am still a little breathless, as people often are after a major event in their lives. If before I die I have three more literary experiences as sharp and exciting and terrible as the one I have just been through, I shall know it has been a good world" (cited in Bloom, p. 5). Octavo. Original black cloth, printed gold paper labels on spine and front cover, fore edge untrimmed. With dust jacket. Housed in a custom brown morocco solander box. Contemporary ownership inscription of one "Albert M. D. Gassel, 12-25-29" on front pastedown. Spine dulled, scuff to spine label, rubbing to extremities, gentle bumps to corners, gauze visible at front inner hinge, book block remaining firm and square, light foxing to endpapers; rubbed jacket not price-clipped, spine panel toned, minor creasing and nicks to top edge: a very good copy in like jacket. Grissom A.8.1.a; Hanneman 8a. Harold Bloom, ed., Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, 2009.

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.