For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemmingway
8/15/03
This is a story of an American in the “International Brigade,” kind of a special forces type organization, combat engineer type attached to an anti-fascist gorilla unit in the mountains of Spain. He is preparing to blow up a bridge to prevent the enemy from reinforcing in an upcoming battle. He meets a girl who he falls in love with. He must further teach the trade of guerilla war fighting.
Very simply written with much dialogue. I suppose that is the Hemmingway style.
A fair amount of time is spent discussing killing in war. It is ok to like it? To do it? It is the timeless struggle of a soldier.
Also discussed how appropriate a relationships during such conflicts. How time forces speed and “imformalneess” in the romance of Robert Jordan and Maria.
In the end, Pablo betrays, but comes back and they blow the bridge. Rob is injured while crossing the road during the escape and he is left to die and contemplate death.
The entertaining part of the book is the whole story. A soldier, behind enemy lines bring a bunch of locals together to blow a bridge. Throw in a girl and a Pablo. The greatness factor is in the contemplation that is given to each character, Pilar, Pablo’s wife, Maria Alamosa, the old man, and, of course, Robert. In the end, as Robert contemplates his death it is clear that Hemmingway has seen much of it and knows what passes before life completes itself.
While simply written in Hemmingway’s known style, the story and lessons and emotions are great.
