Appearance
For Whom the Bell Tolls
It is a fascinating tale of Robert (Roberto) Jordon and his paisonos, caught up in the Spanish Civil War. The story covers only three days of the war, yet it takes us on Robert Jordon's life voyage. It is conveyed by the brilliant soliloquy, a tug of war of conscience, duty, honor and death itself. Who among us has not had such dialogue?It has everything, romance, camaraderie, bravery, cowardice, and above all sacrifice. Jordon, an American, who is addressed as "Ingles" by his comrades, is the band's leader, who is commissioned by the rebellion general to blow up a bridge.His team includes some unforgettable characters ever penned, the ruthless yet pragmatic Pablo, his incredibly humane wife, Pilar, Augustine, brave soldier, like a brother to Robert, and lovely, innocent Maria. Roberto (Jordon) and Maria fall in love the moment they meet and once Pilar reads his palm, the denouement is never in doubt.The scene where Pablo is in charge with a gun hustling out town's fascists who are holed up in the church, to be "taken care" of by the avenging mob outside is reminiscent of "krystalnacht" enactment superbly portrayed by Günter Grass in his classic Nazi drama" Tin Drum".An all time classic
For Whom the Bell Tolls
I have read many reviews of this piece of literature. Many are so well written and observant. I did not read all 212 so maybe I'm going to repeat what someone else has said before me. I apologize if that is the case.I took the novel in small pieces. I stopped and thought about what was being presented to me. I actually researched the names of the individuals named in the novel. I would suggest that anyone who reads the novel do the same. It is historically accurate which adds to the quality of writing.I will not over elaborate on the story told in the book as that has been done already. I can say, however, that the novel will have many different meanings for each who read it.(sorry for that) I find that chapter 35 is really effective in mitigating my anger when I think I am really ticked off. I simply read that chapter and then I realize that there is no good reason to actually be mad about whatever trivial issue that may be on my mind. How dare I even consider a rant when there is chapter 35...[...] everybody but the people and then be damned careful what they turn into when they have power."That is some serious medicine. If only more people would read this book before they come to power.This is no book for a casual reader however. Damn.Good Luck
For Whom the Bell Tolls
This book has everything. War, Romance, and the little known history of the Spanish Civil War.Hemingway is at his best in this book. His keen journalistic eye doesn't miss a detail.Although the era he is writting about has long since gone by the reader cannot help but be pushed back in time.There is one scene that always sticks in my mind. I think Pablo's mujer is telling Robert Jordan about a village they "cleaned" of fascist. The details of the brutality in that section of the book will give any reader a glipse of what war is.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Hemmingway transcribes his expat experiences in the Spanish American war into a gripping story of the futility of combat. The main characters hide in the hills struggling between loyalty to their anti-fascist cause, and the scars caused by the attrocities they've experienced.For whom the bell tolls, as we all know, "It tolls for thee!" This summarizes the story. To Hemmingway, war is futile. We all lose. Agree or disagree with the morality, the story captures Hemmingway's ability to lay emotions bare with strong minimalist prose and dialogure.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. One of the best war novels I've ever read. Now I know why Hemingway is known as one of the greatest writers of all time. I absolutely loved "The Old Man and Sea", but when "A Farewell to Arms" fell a little short, I had my doubts. This was the one that finally clinched it in my mind that Hemingway deserves all of the accolades he's received over the years. It's a love story that takes place up in the mountains of Spain during the Spanish Civil War which took place in the 1930's. The main character Robert Jordan, is a young American dynamiter in the International Brigade. Back in the State's Jordan used to be a college professor. Jordan's grandfather used to be a great war hero, but since his father was labeled a coward, he has set out to try to redeem the family name. It becomes his assignment to travel into the mountains of Spain, hook up with a band of guerillas, and to blow a pivotal bridge during an upcoming campaign. Not being as familiar with the Spanish Civil War as I would like have been before reading this novel it was a little hard at first to try to figure out who was fighting and what side Jordan was on. I then found out there are the Fascists vs. the Republic and Jordan is on the side of the Republic. At first I thought that members of the Republic were Communists with the ideals they were preaching and since the Russians were advising them, but then when they said some disparaging things about Communists that made me think otherwise. The guerilla band he joins up with is led by a man named Pablo who at one time used to be great leader, but recently has lost his nerve. He no longer is as interested in the cause as he once was, and now would rather tend to his horses instead. He once led this band on a successful assault on a train and everybody in the band still seems to consider this their crowning achievement. Pablo is still very smart, but nobody now knows if he can continue to be trusted to lead them. His female companion Pillar is really the one who has held the band together for the last few months of the war, but she lacks Pablo's cunning. She says she has a little bit of gypsy in her and at times she tells people's fortunes, not all of them however are good. She is very feisty and was probably something in her day when she used to date several matadors. The rest of the band is made up of an old man named Anselmo who Jordan loves very much and is one of the few people he really can rely on. Then there is a few younger men, a pair of competent brothers, plus a strong and loyal man named Agustin, as well as a gypsy who for the most part everybody considers useless. Finally there is the young girl named Maria. She was rescued from the fascists during the raid on the train. She is the daughter of a former Mayor. Her hair had all been cut off and she isn't as beautiful as she once was, but Jordan immediately falls in love with her the first time he lays eyes on her. In war a few days can sometimes seem like a life time and the pair make the most of what time they have together. Pillar had taken Maria under her wing and had been teaching her how to one day be a good wife. She approves of Jordan and Maria's union and after the fighting is over she wants him to take Maria away from this place. As the battle nears there are several scrimmages and some great fights. El Sordo's last stand is very memorable. Hemingway's descriptions are magnificent. At times Hemingway switches back and forth between Spanish and English but it never seems to be a distraction as he always provides a translation. There are things wrong with the Republic that eventually will lead to their downfall, but at this point in the war Hemingway shows them as just little inconsistencies. For instance, the Republic doesn't seem to believe in religion, so it is ironic that all of the band still say their little prayers every time they are in the middle of a battle. The people also want to rule themselves rather than be ruled by the government, but they have no trust in one another. If you are not from the same town as these people you will always be considered an outsider and an enemy. There are too many fractions in the Republic. They have some good ideals, but they are unable to really bring any of them to life. Jordan figures even if they win they would probably need to get rid of most of the leaders since the majority of the ones remaining are all incompetent or murderers. Both the Fascist and the Republic come off as being very brutal at times. I wonder what Hemingway's political views really were. I believe he probably had some of the same ideals that Jordan displays. This book will make my list of the top 100 books of all time.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
I had to write this review because of the review someone else wrote...This person said it was about Hemingway's support for anti-communists and young americans going over to Spain during the civil war to fight the communists...He must not have read the book. The main character of the book went to fight against the FASCISTS, not the communists. He hated fascism and wanted to stop the fascist regime from taking Spain. Fighting on his side were many communists, or Spanish backed by communist nations, such as the spanish generals trained by the communist Russian nation, so how on earth this reviewer could think it was against communism if he read the book is beyond me. Also, this book is about much more, it explores moral issues and covers themes from love to the truth of war. Hemingway really makes you see the tragedy and pointlessness of war.