The novel begins with Frederic Henry, an American serving as an ambulance driver in the Italian army during World War I. He leads a somewhat detached life, indulging in drinking and the company of fellow soldiers. However, his perspective begins to change when he meets Catherine Barkley, a British nurse mourning the loss of her fiancé in the war.

Initially, Frederic views his relationship with Catherine as a casual romance, but as they spend more time together, their connection deepens. Their love offers solace from the brutality of war, and they create a world of their own, separate from the chaos around them. However, their happiness is short-lived when Frederic is wounded in battle and sent to a hospital in Milan, where Catherine follows to care for him.

During his recovery, their love flourishes. Away from the front lines, they experience a brief period of bliss, dreaming of a future together. However, their happiness is overshadowed by the looming reality of war. When Frederic returns to the battlefield, he faces the grim consequences of war’s unpredictability. After a disastrous retreat from the front, he becomes disillusioned with the conflict and deserts the army.

Reunited with Catherine, the couple flees to Switzerland in search of peace and safety. Catherine, now pregnant, and Frederic settle into a quiet life, hopeful for a new beginning. However, their dreams are shattered when complications arise during childbirth, leading to Catherine’s tragic death, along with their stillborn child. Devastated, Frederic walks away into the rainy night, left alone to face the weight of his sorrow.

A Farewell to Arms is a haunting exploration of the impermanence of love and the inevitable loss that accompanies life. Hemingway’s sparse, yet powerful prose captures the raw emotions of war and romance, making it a timeless and deeply affecting novel.