Product Description

In addition to being a prodigious author, Hemingway took great personal interest in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. This novel blends a love story with a story of that war and provides one powerful result.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2621 in Books
• Published on: 1994-08-18
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

New York Times
'The best book Hemingway has written'

Synopsis
Hemingway's evocation of the pride and the tragedy of the civil war that tore Spain apart. A young American volunteer is sent to handle the dynamiting of a bridge behind the lines of Franco's army. In the mountains he find the dangers and the intense comradeship of war - and he discovers Maria.

From the Publisher
ONE OF TWELVE TITLES IN VINTAGE'S A FORMAT WAR PROMOTION.

Customer Reviews

Not for me!
I bought this book (my first Hemingway) on the basis of the fantastic reviews given here. I am missing something because this book has gone completely over my head.
It took me a long time to read and had to force myself to keep going. The book, at nearly 500 pages, is far too long for the weak story line and the characters who were not brought to life by the author (with the possible exeption of "Pablo"). I didn't care enough for the central character and his love interest and had guessed the ending before reaching it.
Far from being impressed by Hemingway's heavily praised writing style, I found it detached and boring. The language translations from Spanish to English - "obsenity" this and "obsenity" that, made it difficult to read. Why not put the proper translations in if that is indeed how it was written? There were also lots of errors in the text which became annoying.
It would be interesting to see if anyone, having read this book, has similar feelings? Not being a regular reviewer but feeling so unusually disapointed after finishing this book, I wanted to share my opinions.

More Hype than Life
Well, it took a long time coming for me to read this and although it was good, I have read much, much better. It seemed more like a Hollywood film script in places, hero dying at the end, the lurve interest, the landscape for atmosphere. By all means read it, but Orwell and Malraux wrote much more compelling stuff about Spain. If its war you want, then I suggest Grossman or Ledig for the horror. I was actually quite disappointed with this book, and perhaps its reputation preceding it, hindered its reception. I was glad when it was over, so I could get on to something stronger.

Simply....
Simply one of the best books ever written, and simply written, by a master in his prime, understated and very sensitive. Beautiful love story.