Robert Jordan, a young and experienced American dynamiter fighting for the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War, is sent on a mission to destroy a bridge behind enemy lines in the mountains of Spain, with the aid of an anti-fascist guerrilla band led by the notorious Pablo and his strong and wise wife, Pilar. During the three days before the impending mission, Jordan discovers a fresh passion for life when he falls in love with the beautiful but scarred Maria.

For Whom The Bell Tolls is a classic war novel portraying the brutality of civil war and the recovery of humanity, exploring themes such as idealism, cynicism, courage, betrayal, loyalty and love.

The ending is particularly well-written. Deeply moving and just...perfect. It left off exactly where it needed to, and I thought the last chapter was one of the best.

I love the characters. Each character is pivotal. Each has a story. None is more important than another. None is essentially good or evil. And Hemingway gives the "enemy" a perspective and humanity as well.

Some of the dialogue is so funny, and I couldn't stop laughing in one passage.

The pacing is very well balanced. Nothing went too fast or too slow, or left me with questions. Hemingway explores Robert Jordan's past enough for the reader to understand the character deeper, but not so much that the flash-backs wear you down.

The sex scenes, although not explicit (and admittedly well-written), seemed excessive. Also, the frequent repetition of the phrases "rope-soled shoes" and "small, firm breasts".

Maria's character niggled me because she seemed...not shallow but...dependent? I don't know what the word is, but I think Hemingway could have done better with Maria's background, hopes and worldview.

The repetition in the dialogue could be frustrating at times. There were many instances when a character said the same thing three times, and that got to me.

The way Robert Jordan was always called Robert Jordan. I think it would have been fine just calling him Jordan instead of listing his full name every time.

There were some loose plot ends. Only click here if you have read the book or don't mind spoilers (contains spoilers): ▼

Hemingway is a brilliant writer who brings us to the brink and examines humanity in a way that makes us see new things.

One of the best war novels I have read.

But of course...we're talking about Hemingway.

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Created Nov 28, 2014 at 4:11pm • Submit your own review...