Reviews

For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway

eriazure's review against another edition

adventurous sad tense medium-paced

3.75

jerryw's review against another edition

5.0

Before I start going on about this book... Dang, it's so long.

I'd have to admit that not every page was so engaging - a lot of digressing and remembering stuff from the past. Although appearing quite mundane, these small stories found throughout conversations in this book really paved the way exceptionally well to the climax, and by extension, the ending. I believe I was able to figure out way more from the plot knowing the rather profuse stories which seemed to be of little significance. I did read this book over a long period of time, but I was surprised that I was able to remember what I read a week ago whenever I picked up the book again, which just goes to show how well woven everything is.

This ought to be one of the few Hemingways that I've encountered in my life, and my goodness is his writing so subtle yet so amazing. Appearing to be quite informal (apart from those "thy"s "thou"s and "obscenity to your..."s), the language didn't feel simple at all, rather very complex.

Wonderful book. Gets my recommendation.

gracenkbrown's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

the_oblivious's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

nickie184's review against another edition

4.0

First read this classic in 1976 or thereabouts. It can feel pretty sloggy in parts, but I can appreciate the genius of Hemingway at work. And who doesn't love power woman Pilar???

annabella82's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this novel and its characters; the story of Robert Jordan, a young American and his experiences with a band of guerrilla fighters as he undertakes a mission to blow up a bridge during the Spanish Civil War.
I found that Hemingway has a knack for grabbing the reader's attention, and keeping it.

_rosie_reads's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

nenobeano's review against another edition

5.0

I can understand why people may not like this book, but I’m a bit of a literary nerd and there were some elements I geeked out about. The literal translation of Spanish in the dialogue, the deep understanding of Spanish culture and politics, and Hemingway’s somewhat autobiographical account given through the main character were amazing. Of all the Hemingway I’ve read, this is him at his finest.

rachellinnmartin's review against another edition

4.5

One of my all time favorite reads. There’s a pretty gruesome scene or two, though. 

jasonwith_y's review against another edition

5.0

John McCain's letter to the New Yorker commemorating an American anarchist who died in the Spanish Civil War inspired me to read this book, and I'm wicked glad I did.

I loved how the whole story is just three days.

I loved the English dialogue that seemed like literal Spanish translation (e.g. "What passes with thee").

I loved the insults and the non-obscene obscenity (e.g. "I obscenity in the milk of thy mother").

I loved how we got Robert Jordan's internal dialogue as the book climaxes.

I loved the end, the last stand.