A Bell for Adano

By: John Hersey

Narrated by: David Green

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

This classic novel and winner of the Pulitzer Prize tells the story of an Italian-American major in World War II who wins the love and admiration of the local townspeople when he searches for a replacement for the 700-year-old town bell that had been melted down for bullets by the fascists. Although stituated during one of the most devastating experiences in human history, John Hersey's story speaks with unflinching patriotism and humanity.

©1944 John Hersey (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A well-written, funny, and, at times, serious and deeply disturbing story . . . dogmatically recommended." (The New Yorker)

A hero's efforts to ease the pain of war

The US Army assigned Major Victor Joppolo to administer the town of Adano, Italy after Allied forces drove out Mussolini's Fascists near the end of World War II.

The town needs many things: food, water, clean streets, affordable goods, safety, and a new bell for its tower. The Fascists removed the 700-year-old bell to melt it down for bullets, leaving the town without its most prized icon.

Joppolo does his best to treat the local citizens fairly and honestly, including trying to get a new bell. Despite bad behavior by many other American soldiers, he gradually wins the townspeople's hearts.

John Hersey's 1944 novel "A Bell for Adano" paints a plausible picture of life in a town suffering through war and occupation. He shows some of the absurdities of military bureaucracy, the selfishness of those clinging to power, the temptations of those in privilege, and the kindness of people trying to help others.

The novel focuses on the civilians affected by the war rather than the actions on the battlefield.

"A Bell for Adano" is a simple story told in a straightforward manner, as one would expect from a journalist like Hersey. And it is a touching story that warmed my heart. I grew to care about Adano and its people and to appreciate Major Joppolo. We need more men like him today.

Extremely disappointing

Several things shock me. First of all, that Hersey won a Pulitzer for this book. I read his book Hiroshima when I was a young adult and remember that I appreciated it. The basic premise of this book - the plot line - seemed good, which is why I bought it and why I gave it two stars. The other shocking thing is that the reviews are all so raving. I was tremendously disappointed - in the book and in the fact that so many people would not find this depiction of people offensive. This plot could have been written beautifully - the idea of a mensch serving as a civil administrator and his challenges, including finding a bell, is quite nice, but instead it is written in a most juvenile fashion. People are labeled fat, stupid, lazy, etc. Constantly! The word “fat” to describe several people goes on throughout the book, making it part of a moniker. Just about every character has some insulting moniker. At one point, he says of a child that he is as stupid as his father (who has already been identified as stupid). How horrid! I find this constant insulting treatment of the citizens of Adano to be offensive and childish. Bad enough that Hersey makes the characters in the book almost all clown like or bumbling idiots and that they insult each other left and right. But, let’s say that is his depiction of the characters themselves, petty, mostly uneducated people. But the narrator in the book (third person) also throws out these descriptions of people, and it really annoyed me. Then, David Green also sounded like he was mocking everyone, making silly voices and making them all sound stupid or like clowns. Pretty early on I wondered whether he was aiming this book at junior high school kids (though it would be setting a terrible example for how to treat each other), but the attitudes shown to the women would, hopefully, not be something Hersey would have intended for teens. I also sped up the reading and maybe should have increased the speed even more. I did want to hear what happens at the end, so I listened, but I think this book should be ripped apart (figuratively, by reviewers) and I sure hope the Pulitzer committee regrets ever giving this a prize.