Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was a true ‘Renaissance man’ of the 20th century, being an accomplished novelist, short story writer, sportsman, and journalist. He lived an adventurous lifestyle, being known for wrestling lions, flying airplanes, and much more. He’s practically the real life ‘Most Interesting Man in the World’ and his real world adventures are matched by his superb writing. Known for his matter of fact, economical, and down to earth yet still complex style, Hemingway wrote numerous acclaimed books such as The Old Man and the Sea, The Sun Also Rises, and the subject of today’s article For Whom the Bell Tolls.
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For Whom the Bell Tolls tells the story of Robert Jordan, an American volunteer assigned to the Republican guerrilla unit in the Spanish Civil war. The book was based on Hemingway’s own experiences in the Spanish Civil War and became known for its imagery that perfectly captured the horrific nature of war, with death a major theme of the novel. It also showcases the nature of bigotry and how ridiculous but ultimately destructive it is. The dense atmosphere of the book complimented this well, showcasing a world where butchery takes the place of heroism thanks to the modern weapons of war turning the battlefield into a true place of horror.
The book won critical acclaim and contributed to Ernest Hemingway eventually receiving his Nobel Prize in 1954. It was also adapted to a screen adaptation in 1943 starring Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman. The adaptation received nine Academy award nominations, although it only received one for Best Supporting Actress.
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Ernest Hemingway remains one of the most interesting authors of all time, a man with a huge body of work that help craft a new style and For Whom the Bell Tolls is one of the best examples of this. Give it a read today to celebrate the master himself and see why Ernest Hemingway was so revered!
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