For Whom the Bell Tolls

Classic Hemingway. Years later I was luck enough to go on a hike for several days in the mountains of Northern Spain and be constantly reminded of this book - this is a testament to how well Hemingway paints his imagery.

Really wanted to like this more, but I just struggled to become enthralled by the story. There were parts of this book that were gripping, suspenseful, horrifying, inspiring, etc. but they were few and far between. Aspects seemed to drag and perhaps that is what emphasized the parts that were intense.

I will say that Hemingway produces one of my favorite quotes where I least expected to find it. "Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today." I read this book about four years ago and to say I have changed and grown since then would be underselling it. I imagine it entirely possible should I go back to read it again, I might enjoy it more.

Hemingway is capable of a near perfect style but he doesn't seem to be aware that if he just let it be, it would be sufficient. So he ruins books by having too much plot. This one in particular had, imo, (it's all imo), a butchered ending, one that turns the whole story into propaganda of sorts, a book with a thesis.
But that's just the last 10 or so pages, so still many many pages of great reading.