Another month seems to have passed so quickly and I'm back with another review for the
Artful Readers Club.
This month I read For Whom The Bells Toll by Ernest Hemingway.
We picked up this book while holidaying in Key West last summer (best holiday ever !!!!) and we visited Hemingway's home.
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| Boys in garden at Hemingway's House Key West, August 2012 |
I really wasn't looking forward to reading it as Martyn read it first and said that it was one of the most boring books he has ever read. So it did take me two attempts to start, first time was right at he start of the year and I only got to chapter 5,but I decided to bite the bullet and finished it as I didn't want it hanging over me until December.
Surprisingly, I love it!!
The main plot is of Robert Jordan's work to help the Spanish resistance blow up a bridge to stop the fascist movement, but I was caught up in the love story between Jordan and Maria. I particularly like when Jordan went off into his dreamworld of how things would be after the war was over and the communists won.
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| Mountains where the group hid out |
Sometimes it felt that the main story was a little lost in the memories of Pablo and what happened in his village before the war but I admired his strong minded wife Pilar (or the 'woman of Pablo', as she often refered to) who seemed to be the only person who could keep him under control.
The narrative writing style was a bit difficult to get into at the start but I soon enjoyed the flow once the love story was brought in.
I'm glad that I did read it and will probably read most Hemingway in the future.
Alison xx
Isn't it just terrifying to pick up a long time classic like this and find it boring?...so glad you came to enjoy it :D Fabulous masking and layering on you landscape :D XXX
ReplyDeleteHats off to you for ploughing through the book. I love Hemmingway, but he can be tedious! Your art is perfect for the book...well done- both the review and the art!!
ReplyDeleteI applaud your effort and glad you enjoyed it; I read Hemingway in high school...The Sun Also Rises; and I still remember bits and pieces. That was a pretty good story from what I recall; but, I think it may have been challenging to get into the story. I can't remember. Your artwork is beautiful, Alison.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of this classic never read it. I'm glad you were inspired by it, and even enjoyed it The artwork you produced is stunning. I'm super impressed, loving everything about it from the mountains to those lovely trees.
ReplyDeleteI must say I find Hemmingway boring myself! Well done you for persevering with this book. I think the art you created is absolutely beautiful with a marvellous, dream-like quality. I enjoyed losing myself in it, far more than I ever could 'lose' myself in Hemmingway, I'm afraid! Julie Ann xx
ReplyDeleteI love it when a book takes me by surprise!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors to the sky, and the pretty trees, and what Gina said ;-D
well done you for sticking with it, I'm glad your effort was rewarded in the end :)
ReplyDeletelove your snowy landscape
Wonderful piece of art work. Glad you finally got to read the book and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteJen x
I love the art work the hills (masking) and stamping (love those trees) really work for this landscape, beautifully subtle. Not sure the book is for me though. Dxx
ReplyDeleteYou are a better man than I Gunga Din! Ernest Hemmingway sends me to sleep. Glad you enjoyed your read. Lovely landscape.
ReplyDeleteJanet xx