For Whom the Bell Tolls
9 journalers for this copy...
The central character, Robert, is a massively inspiring figure. A volunteer for the republican cause, he's brave, stoical, and committed. At the same time though despite all the horrors he has experienced he retains enough humanity to fall in love with Maria.
So its got everything- adventure, war, love, death, great characters and great description of the spanish mountains.
I have enjoyed all of hemingway's books but this is by far his best in my opinion. I hope that Marko with his spanish connections and volunteering ambitions will enjoy it too.
Released 16 yrs ago (2/14/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Now this will be useful as I am organising a Nobel prize winners spiral and of course Hemmingway falls into this category. I generally ask in the forum which book I should enter so for me it will be between this on and the Old Man and the Sea.
This is the first real tradional story I am sending on the Nobel Spiral. It is a bit longer than its' predessessors and if I am honest about three quarters of the way through it was beginning to drag. But then as the story moved into its' fourth and final day Hemmingway picked up the pace and I whizzed through the last 150 pages in no time.
Two things will stay with me from this book. Firstly the description of the horrors of a civil war. Wars in general are awful and destructive events but nothing else in human society can compare to the dehumanisation experienced during civil wars, I think that we have to take a very hard look at ourselves and our values when we look back upon what we have started in Iraq and what those people will suffer over the coming years. Also there was a sentence which rang sadly true, "when ever people are well armed they will continue to fight".
Anyway, I have one big complaint about this book.... I now want to read more and more Hemmingway so my wishlist will continue to grow.
Many thanks Simon, and I hope the rest of my Spirallers will enjoy this book as much as they ave the previous installments.
Released 15 yrs ago (5/21/2008 UTC) at The Nobel Spiral in Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Off it goes on the nobel spiral. I hope you enjoy this one as much as the previous ones.
Released 15 yrs ago (7/8/2008 UTC) at Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Replacement copy flies off.
As much as I admire Hemingways writing style and although this book had many memorable chapters and passages, I found my attention drifting in the first two-thirds of the book. Not sure why this was as I thought the characterization was great and, as marko167 pointed out, the portrayal of war and how it had a dehumanising effect on all was perfectly described.
So will have to read a third Hemingway now to see how that fares!
Thanks once again marko167 for this excellent book spiral.
Released 15 yrs ago (8/12/2008 UTC) at Book Spiral, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to brunton11. Enjoy!
Thanks all for sharing. The Nobel Spiral is certainly encouraging me to try books I wouldn't normally have done. I have katrinat's address and will get this book to the post office tomorrow (mon).
Released 15 yrs ago (12/30/2008 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent on its way, sorry I kept it so long x
I´m very interested in this first-hand account of the Spanish Civil War (although, I must admit, a bit prejudiced against Hemingway´s machism...)
Off to marsala who´s been waiting to read it.
I've read it, and I loved it. It's one of those books that has everyting, excitement, romance, humor. And allthough I know little of the spanish culture, the book had a very definite spanish ring to it. The culture and ideas of the people really shone through.
I'm gonna contact Moonwolf for her address now.
Released 14 yrs ago (4/21/2009 UTC) at By mail, Book Spiral -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On it's way to the next reader.
20 Agosto 2009 => Liked very much as other books i have read of him.
This book will be traveling very soon. Thank you for another great book.
13 September 2009=> As hioniam didn't answer yet any of my messages, i will going to send this book, during next week, to Dworin, already have address. Hope you like it.
Released 14 yrs ago (9/21/2009 UTC) at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to Malaysia :D
Happy travel!!
Thanks Ohbuggerit for donating the book, marko167 for organising and Moonwolf for sending.
Looking forward to read the book as soon as possible.