For Whom the Bell Tolls was the first novel I’ve read by Hemingway. Before that I’ve only read short-stories from him. I have to say that I didn’t like much the short-stories, they wore too much descriptive for me and this novel continues with that way of writing. So when I started to read this book I was expecting something in the same tone and waiting for the same sense of boredom that the short-stories gave me.
I was completely mistaken, although the book isn’t written in my favourite style, it is one hell of a book. The way Hemingway is able to place the reader in the Spanish mountains, the way he makes us understand the Spanish Civil War, by telling us the story of one attack, of one “guerilla” group, is simply amazing. I have to say, that I was expecting an even bigger disappointment because one of the worst books I’ve ever read was exactly about the Spanish Civil War and also written with the action taking place on the side fighting for the republic (Killing a Mouse on Sunday – Emeric Pressburger) but I was expecting the wrong thing.
Hemingway is able to tell us about the love of a group for a cause, a cause that units them and allows them to fight and die for it. He is able to tell us one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read, between Robert Jordan, the main character and Maria, a lost soul of the war. He is able to tell us about Pablo that is weak in mind but strong in heart, he’s able to tell us about so many people, all of them different, all of them fighting for different reasons, but all united and willing to die for the idea of freedom... even if that idea takes different shapes inside everyone’s head.
They are all fighting to be free... as should we all.
In the overall this book was a very positive surprise and I’m looking forward to read more of Hemingway’s work.
