For Whom the Bell Tolls

Set against the background of the Spanish Civil War, this novel focuses on Robert Jordan, an American fighter in the International Brigades. However, there isn’t a large amount of bloodshed is this book. This masterpiece mainly deals with the themes of camaraderie, death, love and the thin line between ideology and bigotry.  

Hemingway was a correspondent in Spain during the Civil War and witnessed its atrocity. One of the most moving scenes is the execution of Franco-supporters in a smalltime village.

The language seems archaic at times (e.g. the frequent usage of “thou”). However, Hemingway aimed to parallel the Spanish language and idioms. Some find this disturbing, but I quite enjoyed it. Hemingway really captured the Spanish temperament in this work.

Read this book! You are bound to fall in love with the idealistic Jordan, strong Pilar (the female leader of a guerilla-band) and Maria, the gypsy.

 
Quote: “I obscenity in the milk of thy mother.”