Jeffrey: Story of the Spanish war, about a band of Spanish fighters led by an American tasked with blowing up a bridge. Violence, death, romance, anger and jealousy, everything is there, in the way only Hemingway can write.
Germany on Nov 06, 2023
Pedro J Boschetti: The novel is very good. The author uses archaic English in some dialogues to create a certain atmosphere, which can be annoying. Hemingway's style can make you not want to stop reading.
Germany on Sep 21, 2023
Roberto M.: Mi aspettavo di meglio
Italy on Sep 11, 2023
Wendy: The writing is gorgeous and not at all what I was expecting. I have previously read some of Hemingway’s short stories which had his famous sparse style. The writing in this novel, however, while clear and crisp, has a rhythm and generous beauty that makes the reading almost sumptuous. My only warning for would-be buyers of this book: be patient to get the most from the novel.
The story is set during the Spanish civil war in the 1930s. Robert Jordan, an American professor of Spanish, has come over to help the Republic fight the Fascists as a demolition man. He is sent to blow up a bridge at a specific day and time, creating a countdown where, as a result of the diminishing hours, he spends four intense days with a small guerrilla force, creating tight, intimate relationships.
I’ll be honest. The first half of the book put me to sleep; but I’m not saying this as a criticism, I swear! The language was so mesmerizing, repetitive, and rhythmic, that it created a hypnotic effect that kept making me drowsy. I had to be so patient. I couldn’t read with any distractions and often read only a dozen or so pages at a time to help with my focus.
The second half of...
United States on May 27, 2015
Jay Ranke: For Whom the Bells Tolls is the first Hemmingway book that I have ever read. I choose to read this book first as, from what I had read in terms of reviews etc, stated that this book deals with the themes which play through most of Hemmingways other works most prominently, and so it seemed a wise choice to choose a book that is considered his finest.
The themes I was expecting were of death and duty and, I suppose, masculinity. Well the book certainly doesn't dissapoint on that mark, a point on which I will return to momentarily.
Hemmingway is considered to be one of "those" writters; one of the greats, and this book itself it often regarded as one of the finest books ever written. If this is so then my review should really be one star. To me there is nothing amazing, unique or stunning in the style of writting that one can immediatly recognise as "great". I found on reading this book initially the archaic language and odd use of profanity (e.g. "I obsenity that" etc) was incredibly strange and secondly the books pace to be incredibly slow, almost boring. Some books I can't put down and this one I had to force myself at points to pick up.
Additionally (and this may...
United Kingdom on Feb 19, 2010
Jana L.Perskie: "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...
United States on Jun 24, 2005
| Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls: A Classic Tale of Love and Adventure | "The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn: A Gripping Historical Fiction Novel | Uncover the Past with "The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel | |
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| B2B Rating |
77
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98
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98
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| Sale off | $4 OFF | $7 OFF | $6 OFF |
| Total Reviews | 110 reviews | 1 reviews | 1 reviews |
| Paperback | 480 pages | ||
| Item Weight | 1.08 pounds | ||
| Publisher | Scribner | William Morrow Paperbacks | Gallery Books |
| Language | English | English | English |
| Classic Literature & Fiction | Classic Literature & Fiction | ||
| Literary Fiction (Books) | Literary Fiction | ||
| ISBN-13 | 978-0684803357 | 978-0062943477 | 978-1982131906 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #28 in Classic American Literature#244 in Classic Literature & Fiction#650 in Literary Fiction | #14 in World War II Historical Fiction #15 in War Fiction #22 in 20th Century Historical Fiction | #10 in World War II Historical Fiction #17 in 20th Century Historical Fiction#110 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction |
| ISBN-10 | 0684803356 | 0062943472 | 198213190X |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4/5 stars of 10,488 ratings | 4.6/5 stars of 42,311 ratings | 4.7/5 stars of 28,226 ratings |
| Dimensions | 5.25 x 1 x 8 inches | 5.31 x 1.05 x 8 inches; 1.06 Pounds | 5.31 x 1 x 8.25 inches; 11.2 Ounces |
| Classic American Literature | Classic American Literature | ||
| Lexile measure | 840L |
United Kingdom on Dec 10, 2023