For Whom the Bell Tolls

"For Whom The Bell Tolls" has long been my favorite Ernest Hemingway novel. A compelling action adventure, this is a tale filled with mystery and suspense, peopled by a cast of extraordinarily vivid characters. It is also the author's finest, and most emotional love story. Although his use of language seems simple, it is deceptively so. Hemingway deals effectively with broad themes here - love, loyalty, trust, courage and honor are some. And of course, "For Whom The Bell Tolls," set against the brutal violence of the Spanish Civil War, is probably the definitive work of fiction about this pivotal period in European, and world history. Generalissimo Francisco Franco's fascist troops invaded Spain in July 1936 in order to overthrow the newly established Republic headed by the Popular Front, (composed of liberal democrats, socialists, anarchists, trade unionists, communists and secularists. (If I have left anyone out, I am sorry - this was a truly complex and unique political situation.) The country was basically divided into Red Spain - the Republicans, and Black Spain, represented by the landed elite, committed to a feudal system and Franco's cause, Fascists, the urban bourgeoisie, the Roman Catholic Church, and other conservative sectors. The number of casualties is only an estimate, but suggests that between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people were killed. Many of these deaths, however, were not the results of military battles, but the outcome of brutal mass executions perpetrated by both sides. During the war in Spain, 2,800 American volunteers took up arms to defend the Republican cause against Franco, who was aided by Hitler and Mussolini. Those who fought with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, from 1937 through 1938, believed the defense of the Republic represented the last hope of stopping the spread of international fascism. These Americans fought alongside approximately 35,000 anti-fascists from fifty-two countries. Most of the volunteers were not political, but idealists who were determined to "make Madrid the tomb of fascism." Hemingway's protagonist Robert Jordan, an American professor of Spanish from Missoula, Montana, was one such volunteer. Robert Jordan, an explosives expert, has been ordered to make contact with a small band of partisan fighters in the Guadarrama Mountains of fascist controlled southern Spain. His mission, of critical importance, is to blow up a bridge, at a specific time, to facilitate a simultaneous Republican attack on the city of Segovia. Most of the novel deals with Jordan's relationships with members of the guerilla fighters, including the girl Maria with whom he falls in love. Jordan is described as, "a young American of slight political development, but a great way with the Spaniards and a fine 'partizan' record." Neither a Communist nor a Marxist, he is anti-fascist. As is the case with most foreign fighters, he is under Communist discipline/direction, because, in the conduct of the war, they eventually run the "show" and provide the most effective opposition. Pablo is ostensibly the band's military leader. He has become disillusioned with the fight, cynical and bitter. He is no longer willing to die for any cause. A smart man, but brutal, and cunning in a mean way, he is a complex character. He does have a conscience. Pablo spends much of his time in an alcoholic stupor. When Robert Jordon enters the picture, Pablo's level of animosity reaches new heights, and his comrades, along with Robert, are afraid he will sabotage the mission. He undergoes several changes during the 3 days and 3 nights in which the story takes place. Pilar is Pablo's woman, an extremely strong and savvy person, she is steeped in gypsy lore and superstition, and is probably the novel's most colorful character. She is a fine warrior who can be counted upon to cover one's back in battle. Pilar possesses a big heart. She has cared for Maria and brought the girl back to health. When Robert Jordon joins them, Pilar takes the leadership position over from Pablo, whom she no longer trusts, but still loves. She commands the allegiance of the guerrilla fighters and organizes them into a temporary alliance with "El Sordo," another exceptional character. She is the force behind many of the novel's events - stimulating movement, motivating or manipulating people to take action - but for good purpose. Pilar, relates various war stories, and anecdotes, which reflect the cruelty and inhumanity of civil war. María's life was shattered by the outbreak of the war. Her father, the mayor, along with her mother, and many of the local citizenry were shot before her eyes by the invading Fascists. Since her mother was not a Republican, but a devout Catholic, she shouted, "Viva my husband, the town's mayor," before she died, rather than the more typical, "Viva La Republica!" Maria was then taken away and brutalized, physically and emotionally, by Franco's soldiers. When the guerilla band blew up the train on which Maria was a prisoner, they carried the dazed and broken girl to their mountain hideaway. A thrilling subplot is developed when Andrés, a guerilla, must take an urgent message across the lines to a Republican general. Roberto's entire mission, and much more importantly, the offensive, depends upon the successful and timely delivery of the dispatch. Another important character is old Anselmo, for whom Robert develops a strong attachment. A major portion of the novel is told through the thoughts of Robert Jordan, with flashbacks to meetings with Russians in Madrid, and some reflections on his father and grandfather. Jordon's inner monologues fascinate and clearly demonstrate Hemingway's skill with language and character development. Jordan, at one point comments to himself, that he is his own best companion. Because of his wartime responsibilities, he cannot allow himself to be overcome by emotion, which he considers a luxury. Whenever he feels anger, deep love, disappointment, foreboding, fear, anything that will distract him from his purpose, he talks himself down and refocuses. In such a relatively brief period, he begins to love life as never before, because of his feelings for Maria. Even here, however, he accepts that if anything happens to him, he is fortunate to have experienced a lifetime in three and a half days. Again, I cannot write enough in praise of Hemingway's use of language. It is sparse, direct, and extremely beautiful in its descriptiveness. He translated the Spanish intimate "tu" form into English. I speak Spanish, and although this may seem a bit awkward initially, it gives a much more accurate feel for the local idiom and the dialogue between Maria and Roberto, (as he is called), and between Roberto and the partisans. This is not only an extraordinary novel, but is one of the most important in American fiction. Hemingway worked as a correspondent in Spain during the Civil War, as a reporter for the North American Newspaper Alliance (NANA). He raised money for the Republicans in their struggle against the Nationalists under General Francisco Franco. JANA

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS has been touted to me as a great novel for my entire life. I’ve read several of Hemingway’s works (A FAREWELL TO ARMS, THE SUN ALSO RISES, TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT, and A MOVEABLE FEAST). I liked the nonfiction A MOVEABLE FEAST best. I’m afraid I was a bit disappointed in FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS. Perhaps if I had read it when I was younger, before I had read some truly great works of literature, I might have been more impressed. It does have some great sections, but there are a lot of mediocre ones, too. Set during the Spanish Civil War, it tells the story of an American fighting against the forces of Franco. I find politics tedious and in the long run, it’s all like the Blefuscunians and the Lilliputians fighting over which end of an egg to open first. Hemingway blusters a great deal about politics, which I find boring, especially politics of a hundred years ago. He also goes on and on about the intricacies of making a bomb. Since I don’t plan to ever make a bomb, I found this boring. The book’s hero, Robert, is holed up in the mountains fighting with a band of guerillas while he plans a mission to blow up a strategic bridge. While there, he becomes involved with a girl who has been brutalized and raped by the Fascists, who also shaved her head. Through their affair, she begins to heal from the trauma of her ordeal and he finds that he can truly love. It is here that he meets the book’s most interesting character, Pilar, described as a big ugly woman who is tougher than any of the men. When she’s the center of attention, the book soars, but when she’s not, it becomes a fairly cliched war story. The book has moments that are rivetingly suspenseful, but I found the ending disappointing. I was expecting a bigger finish and I didn’t get one. Overall, I’d rate it as 3 and a half stars, rounded up to 4. It’s worth reading, but it’s not a masterpiece.

Si vous lisez l'anglais, c'est un bijou : le style à la fois sec et terriblement évocateur d'Hemingway à son meilleur; en même temps un livre de guerre terrible (comme l'est "a farewell to arms") et un document prenant sur la guerre civiel espagnole

Well written.

I am a huge fan of Ernest Hemingway but paradoxically for many years I found that though I would read his books and enjoy them I would often struggle to complete them. I would get lost somehow,someway. I would struggle to give them the full attention they deserved in my 'busy lifestyle' - and this is my fault, not the authors. I can identify both with those readers who criticise his works and those who applaud them. I wonder if those who were dubious of his talent would think differently having experienced an audio version? Certainly I have found audio versions to be particularly appealing when coming to enjoy Papa's work. I love his use of language - but perhaps with my limited intellect I could cope with it in only small doses (the opening paragraph of another of his classics Farewell to Arms is the most beautiful, somber pieces of literature I have ever read - see if you can read a sample somewhere on Amazon).Unlike many other authors whose work I casually read I found I just couldn't put the book down for a couple of days and then pick it back up again. I would lose the thresd, the auroa and subtlety of the author would be lost...It demands your full attention. The audio versions however have been the answer to my prayers - to hear Hemingway's prose read so brilliantly by Campbell Scott has allowed me to truly savour Ernest Hemingway's genius. I also find I can pick up the story a lot better if I leave it for a day or so - indeed I love replaying sections again and again. His research and application of personal experience and fiction is first rate. It helps if you are interested in the Spanish Civil War - which I am. Don't expect lots of fast paced action - but a lot philosophising, personal anecdotes of the characters. When action does take place though it is masterfully described. This book I think is one to savour - and unfortunately, without intending to sound pretentious, this is the best way I can describe it - intelligent, thought provoking, atmospheric, clever, masculine, gritty, soul searching and life redeeming. If you fancy giving this book a try consider the audio version. I certainly will use this medium for his other works. By the way there is a great version of Old Man and the Sea told by the great Charlton Heston which can be obtained - if not in the UK then inported via the US.

came in good condition, its a good book

The book arrived in perfect condition. It is a hard-cover pocket book with an extra paper cover. About the story, it is great book to get to know how guerrilla groups lived during the Spanish Civil War. Highly recommended book.