48 pages 1 hour read

Ernest Hemingway

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1940

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

For Whom the Bell Tolls follows Robert Jordan, an American volunteer demolition specialist for the Republican army during the Spanish Civil War, tasked with blowing up a bridge to aid an offensive. As he works with a band of guerrilla fighters, he falls in love with Maria, experiences deeply connected wartime relationships, and faces various conflicts with the group's leader, Pablo. The book includes depictions of wartime violence and references to sexual violence.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls is lauded for its powerful depiction of war and human endurance. Critics celebrate its rich, evocative prose and complex characters, making it a compelling read. However, some find its pacing slow and dialogue stilted. Overall, it remains a poignant exploration of sacrifice and heroism.

Who should read this

Who Should Read For Whom the Bell Tolls?

A reader who enjoys literary fiction with profound themes, complex characters, and historical settings would appreciate For Whom the Bell Tolls. It appeals to those intrigued by war narratives and philosophical musings akin to A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway or All Quiet on the Western Front by Remarque.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

840L

Book Details

Genre

American Literature

Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Topics

Military / War

History: World

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Emotions/Behavior: Fear