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C.'s Reviews > For Whom the Bell Tolls
For Whom the Bell Tolls
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I can't understand how anyone would dislike this book. I loved "The Windup Bird Chronicle," but I understand how one wouldn't enjoy it. "For Whom the Bell Tolls," however, was one of those classics that was so perfect, so profoundly moving and yet just enjoyable to read, that I can't comprehend the negative review. Like "Anna Karenina," "Crime and Punishment," or "Native Son," its one of those cornerstones of literature that utterly justified its spot in the cannon. The characters were perfectly wrought, and achingly human, with each life being so significant and yet miniscule in the face of war.
It's true that Hemingway can't write a real woman to save his life (Pilar is fantastic, but really he writes her as a man), and Maria's adoration of Robert gets tiresome, but really that's the only false note in this entire epic. For everyone who complains about the stilted dialogue, the dialogue is one of the strokes of absolute genius. Yes, it sounds unnatural, but that's because Hemingway is perfectly capturing how people who don't speak the same native language communicate -- the dialogue is in actually in Spanish between the American Robert and the Spanish guerillas. It's brilliant.
It's true that Hemingway can't write a real woman to save his life (Pilar is fantastic, but really he writes her as a man), and Maria's adoration of Robert gets tiresome, but really that's the only false note in this entire epic. For everyone who complains about the stilted dialogue, the dialogue is one of the strokes of absolute genius. Yes, it sounds unnatural, but that's because Hemingway is perfectly capturing how people who don't speak the same native language communicate -- the dialogue is in actually in Spanish between the American Robert and the Spanish guerillas. It's brilliant.
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Reading Progress
November 25, 2008
– Shelved
Started Reading
December 6, 2008
– Shelved as:
classics-you-should-stop-avoiding
December 6, 2008
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-6 of 6 (6 new)
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I don't have a problem with the dialogue - I found it interesting. But I can't get through an entire book just because I like the style of the dialogue. ;)I guess what I don't like is that there's no sense of progression. Yeah, theoretically, they're moving toward the major event, but... I dunno. I like my stories to have some narration to them. If I want a meanering philosophical treatise, I'll read an essay.
It's padded a bit. I feel like if it had been the story of 3 days instead of 4, it would have been great. And yeah, Pilar is a great character, but for half the book she is referred to as only "Pablo's woman." Hemingway's sexism will always get in the way, to me.
I got the impression that the source of the awkward dialogue was not due to a difference in language ability between native and non-native speakers, but instead a semi-literal translation of the Spanish of the time.Several characters mention the proficiency of Robert Jordan's Spanish in the book, the native speakers speak in the same formal tone to each other as they do to Robert Jordan and it's obvious when a character (El Sordo) is modifying his speech for the benefit of the foreigner, this is even directly remarked upon by Robert Jordan.
Chris your review is spot-on, but how come you mention The Windup Bird Chronicles? I happened to read that about 6 months ago.
Thanks for posting your review. I really enjoyed your thoughts - especially about how you feel Pilar has been almost created 'like a man.' I found some of the descriptions about Maria VERY dated. Would it be possible to quote it (or part) with attribution on a podcast I am preparing on 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'? Thanks for your consideration
See, I found the digressions very mobydickian (if I can coin a very awkward phrase). I was one of those people who loved Melville's discourses on the history of blubber or knots, just as I loved all the history and musings in "War and Peace." I'd need to look at some specific digressions you felt were pointless, as I felt everything added to character, plot, setting, tone, the absurdity of war, etc.