For Whom the Bell Tolls

By: Ernest Hemingway

Narrated by: Campbell Scott

Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1937, Ernest Hemingway traveled to Spain to cover the civil war there for the North American Newspaper Alliance. Three years later he completed the greatest novel to emerge from "the good fight", For Whom the Bell Tolls.

The story of Robert Jordan, a young American in the International Brigades attached to an antifascist guerilla unit in the mountains of Spain, it tells of loyalty and courage, love and defeat, and the tragic death of an ideal. In his portrayal of Jordan's love for the beautiful Maria and his superb account of El Sordo's last stand, in his brilliant travesty of La Pasionaria and his unwillingness to believe in blind faith, Hemingway surpasses his achievement in The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms to create a work at once rare and beautiful, strong and brutal, compassionate, moving, and wise.

"If the function of a writer is to reveal reality," Maxwell Perkins wrote Hemingway after reading the manuscript, "no one ever so completely performed it." Greater in power, broader in scope, and more intensely emotional than any of the author's previous works, it stands as one of the best war novels of all time.

©1952 Ernest Hemingway (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is the best book Ernest Hemingway has written, the fullest, the deepest, the truest. It will, I think, be one of the major novels in American literature." (The New York Times Book Review)

Must read/listen to....

Hemingway and he’s writing a part of history. This book eloquently showcases both in pristine fashion.

Wonderful first experience of Hemmingway

The first thing I would have to say is that Hemingway's writing was nothing like I had expected. For some reason I was expecting a slow, dull but rather poetic story. Poetic it was, but definitely not slow or dull! This book captured my attention from start to end. It shows the sadness of civil war. It shows the passion of the Spanish, and it shows humanity at its very best and worst. Before reading it, it might be worthwhile reading a brief history of the Spanish Civil War, as this helps to understand the time and context in which it is set. This is without a doubt the best book I have read in the past couple of years.

Loved the book, despised the censorship...

Any additional comments?

This is the first Hemingway book that I have read. I enjoyed it greatly for a variety of reasons. Hemingway does a phenomenal job with describing everything from the settings, to the characters in the novel. I really enjoyed the dialogue between Jordan and the voice in his head. I would recommend this book wholeheartedly except for the fact that the "strong language" was edited out, and I did not know about that prior to purchase. Had I known that, I would have bought the print version.

It’s a beautiful story

The story, the writing, the characters, the emotion, and the narrating voice which is now inseparable from Robert Jordan are all beautiful, and I am sad the recording has finished.

Superb narration!

Campbell Scott has the talent to bring alive the many different character nuances Hemingway weaves into this entrancing story of war and love. Having just listened to this story for the first time, it compelled me to research the Spanish Civil War. Coincidentally on the day I finished the audiobook, news came out about the exhumation of Franco’s grave illustrating the fact this conflict is still relevant. Let’s hope history does not repeat itself.

Ending was too abrupt...

Might have given it five stars if it were not for the very abrupt ending. I plan to watch the movie now. Hopefully it does not leave me hanging as the book did. I did enjoy the narrator. His performance and voice was quite enjoyable.

Spanish Civil War classic

This book takes place over four days of actual action however you follow the stories and lives of many people. The reading was very good as I was unfamiliar with some of the spanish names and places. The swearing comes out as "obsenity" instead of the intended word however. The story is very very good and I would sugest it to anyone. A certain amount of knowledge about the Spanish civil war helps (such as who is going to win, the voting in of the communists etc) but you do not need a very deep understanding.

Definitely try out, even if it is your first Hemingway book.

Great story and performance

Great story and performance. Campbell Scott really delivers, with this one, and brings this book to the next level

Wow!

Narrator was excellent! What an amazing listen. I felt like I was right in every situation. Extremely well narrated, in my opinion.

Hemingway's best and one of audible's best

This is the masterwork of a great writer, and far better than his other novels. I believe a large part of this being one of my top five favorite books is the performance of Campbell Scott. It is a beautiful story with grit and a building pace with a realistic bent, dark, but reveling in the triumph of sacrifice and honor. It's part historic, part romance, part story of war, with literary innovation yet a primary reliance on the simplicity of the story itself. I like the psychology of pushing forward through fear and worry from the first person perspective of a courageous protagonist. The characters are rich and memorable. #tagsgiving #sweepstakes