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The Old Man and the Sea (平装)
by Ernest Hemingway
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Fiction |
| Market price: ¥ 138.00
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 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Wonderfully thrilling and touching, this book is a powerful story about physical and mental challenge, age, dreams and effort. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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Elina Oliferovskiy (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
The Old Man and the Sea was my favorite from all the books I've read this year. It was written by Ernest Hemingway in in 1951. The story is called a novella because it is too long to be a short story, but too short to be called a novel. This book by Ernest Hemingway is so amazing though. Hemingway has the ability to write a story that makes your mind paint a picture. This book draws you in, and you feel like you're in the skiff with Santiago, rooting for the death of the marlin. Quoted from Zach Davisson, "This short novel is fierce, full of vibrant energy and humanity," and I would say that this is Hemingway's best work. At first the story seems like a standard "man against nature" tale, but unlike those kind of stories, this one has a more vivid battle, and a stronger point at the end. It is said that Hemingway's inspiration for the old man in the book, was the Cuban fisherman Gregorio Fuentes, who was also Hemingway's friend, but noe one really knows where Hemingway gets he extraoridnary ideas.
Although short, the book has a deep meaning. Sometimes people can just read a book without really seeing much of a point, but that only happens when people read the words, not the story. You have to know how to read right, in order to see the message in the book. One main theme I found while reading was to have courage in the face of defeat. Even though the Old man hadn't caught a fish in 84 days, he didn't give up. He continued to try and try. On day 85, he decides that, no matter what, he will not return with a catch. His waiting paid off though, because soon, he caught an enormous marlin. Santiago had to fight with the fish for three days before finally killing it. On the way back, the old man had more to worry about than just about keeping the fish tied to the boat. Sharks, hunger, and weakness tried to defeat the man, but he stayed strong. This book mainly portrays masculinity. Although the old man was very gentle, he knew when to use the power and strength that men have. He is so gentle though, that at one point in the book he wishes he "could feed the fish," and at another in the book he is "sorry for the fish that had nothing to eat." Later on in the story, he deeply grieves when the first shark mutilates the fish's beautiful body. Santiago has a very kind soul and loving heart too. He doesn't mind the fishermen who make fun of him, and he respects Manolin's father, even though he forbids the boy to fish with the old man and tells him to fish with someone else after forty fishless days with Santiago. The only time in the book when Santiago is violent, is when he killed the sharks which attacked his fish, but such actions, the only reason he did was to defend his "brother", the fish. Even in his dreams are gentle and pleasant. Santiago usually dreams of playful, not fierce, lions, and also, once of mating porpoises. I loved his easy- going, selfless, and thoughtful character, throughout the whole story.
The reason that I loved "The Old Man and the Sea" is because this book inspired me the most. It made me think of how the old man's life is the kind of live anyone would want. Although he is poor and lonely, he loves everyone around him no matter how much they discourage him, and he believes in himself enough to set out goals that seems unreachable. He knows that he can succeed in practically anything. The old man has everything he needs in this world: determination and strength. Santiago's battle was a very hard one, but no matter how hard it got, he never gave up Mainly, this story portrayed hope. Santiago created hope when there was none. He was strong when his body was weak. Santiago himself has said, "Man is not made for defeat... A man can be destroyed but not defeated."
The strength of his will is what keeps him going. It is all that holds his failing body together. Even though the old man's strength seemed a little over-exaggerated and unrealistic sometimes, the rest of the story has fixed that. The boy is a good example of a casual person, and the fish is just a casual fish.
This book has many different interpretations. To one person, this could be a story of how a man was so determined that he never gave up, not matter how much suffering he had to go through. Another person may think of this story as just another story of symbolism, because the old man, no matter how aged and hurt, had strength and bravery throughout the whole story.
While one person may this of this story as a story of success, another one might just label the old man as too desperate and obsessed, because he almost lost his life over catching a fish. To another person this story might portray that riches and wealth give nothing, and that a person can live a good life without any of that. To me, this story had a different meaning, but is similar to the first one. This story represents courage, trust, and love to me. It represents courage, because the old man had courage in times when most people fear. He had the courage to go out there, knowing he will succeed in his goals, and he rejected fear, doubt, and weakness. It represents trust, because the old man trusted himself. Sometimes, in a tough situation, people do things they normally wouldn't. Sometimes people say they would never do something, but at the end, they turn out to. Mothers who love their children, actually ate their children in times of starvation, and this is because of how their brain reacted. The old man knew that he could trust himself not to give up. He knew he would keep going no matter how back-breaking the work would be. He knew that he wouldn't betray himself and give up in the end, like many people do. It also represents love, because the old man loved his dream and hobby. Catching the marlin was his dream, and fishing was hobby. He loved the feeling of success, and self-respect, and so he loved the dream of catching the fish so much that he decided to go out and make it reality. I can really relate to this story, because many times, I suffer in order to get a reward at the end. Even though I don't actually get a reward, just like the old man didn't, I get respect, and it makes me feel better too. This story could have had a different ending, one that many people said they would have liked. Some think it would have been better if Santiago would have towed the enormous fish back to port and posed for a triumphal photograph, but instead his prize gets devoured by a school of sharks. Santiago returned home with little more than a skeleton, but that didn't mean anything to him. He was not fully defeated, and that made him feel proud. He didn't want credit or popularity, because he didn't care about any of those things. All he wanted was to finally succeed in catching a fish, and that's what happened. When he returned home, he went to bed and, dreamed about the lions.
I recommend this book to everyone. It is such an encouraging and outstanding story, and I think that everyone should get a change to read it. If you've read it, but you didn't find it touching or meaningful, then you've missed the point. I never knew that a story a little over 120 pages could have so much meaning, and teach you such great things. |
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Bob (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
The old man and the sea indeed! Should have been titled the old man in a bowl of blood - fish blood that is. Wretched creature he is; disrespectful of the beautiful life around him, hacking and hacking, and hacking some more until he is surrounded by a sea of blood. And what a fool, for that blood may be diseased! Contaminated with a host of viruses, possibly AIDS or even hepatitis; soon they will attack his soul. The thought, the very thought of someone desiring to catch and eat the flesh of a fish - disgusting! How fish smell! How they remind one of the dried up, dirty, infected, genetalia of a sixty-three year old woman who still likes to partake in the carnal act but refuses to wash afterwards and lets the old, dried up, caked on semen dry until it smells as rancid as the fish the old man himself desires to catch.
A heck of a fish tale I must say. Five stars because I can't give it seven. |
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Alysson Oliveria (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
The Old Man and the Sea was Ernest Hemingway's last novel published in life. Not only did this book give him a Pulitzer Prize, but it also cinched the Nobel Prize for him, awarded in 1954. Nevertheless, critics and scholars aren't unanimous to believe that this is best work. For many, in this book, Hemingway abandoned his realistic approach.
For many people this is an allegory of the writer's condition when he wrote the novella. Hemingway himself would be the `old man' being attacked by critics on a feeding frenzy. However much some people do believe in this interpretation - and they say that Hemingway's writing were based on his life experience, so why wouldn't this be? - this would be a very small interpretation.
In The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway found a middle shape that fits between his long novels and his short stories. In this novella, the writer takes his famous style to another level since he retains so much from his prose. Everything we know about his writing is there: the short and direct sentences are the best example. But in this novel the sentences aren't the only device that is short.
The novella `lacks' characters - actually, there are only two major characters and one of them is off the stage for most of the time. This is the `old man''s show. As character he is fully developed however we don't learn much about his past, but it doesn't take too much from Hemingway to tell us who somebody is - just some tips and we know.
The narrative is short and concentrates on a couple of days in the old man's life. The most dramatic moments -near the end - unfold beautifully. Throughout the book, Hemingway deals with someone struggling against defeat. The main character, Santiago, has gone eighty-four days without catching a fish. But he refuses to accept defeat: the old man sails out beyond the other fishermen in search for the biggest fish.
The Old Man and the Sea is a short book that doesn't take to much time to be read. On the other hand, it may stay with reader long after finishing. With his power of persuasion, Hemingway has created an unforgettable tale of love for life and honor.
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Julie (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
This book by Ernest Hemingway is amazing. This man has the ability to write a story while painting a picture with the scenes, and keeping the heart of a poet. Yet the entire time he does this while never allowing the reader to forget the author is male. It is a great book. In fact I recommend anything by this man. |
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Laura Iole (MSL quote) , USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
After reading the old man and the sea, I found myself wondering what exactly Hemingway was trying to do. At first I found it extremely hard to actually get into the book. I mean how much can you say about a fishing trip the last 84 days with no luck. I did find that i sympothized with Santiago, especially when Manolin's parents force him to leave Santiago's boat. I feel that there wasnt enough action in this book to keep my interest going. Hemingway goes into such great detail in all that he says, that i find that it gets boring. Once I had finally gotten to the 85th day of Santiago's unlucky streak, I found that I was rooting so much for him the whole time. I was much more intrigued once he caught hold of that big marlin. I continued to read because I was afraid that he would give up after all that he went through. I fell that the most exciting part is when the sharks lured by the blood of the marlin. I felt bad that Santiago didnt get to enjoy his fish, although by this point Santiago has grown so much I dont think he minds. I enjoyed how he finally did something for himself instead of trying to impress others. I enjoyed the end of the book when Manolin and Santiago see eachother once again. The end of this book gets much better, but i found it didnt compensate for the rest of the book. I would not recomend this book to anyone who seeks action thrillers. |
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Damian Kelleher (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
Santiago is an old man. He was once a great fisherman, but no longer. The other fishermen ridicule him, or ignore him. Eighty days without a fish, and the parents of the small boy who helps him, Manolin, have forbidden him to work with Santiago any more. He is unlucky, they say, and the word is echoed around town.
But the old fisherman does not mind. He knows that life is difficult, that not everything goes the way you wish it would. On the eighty-fifth day, he sets out into the water, alone, and hooks a great fish. 'Never have I had such a strong fish nor one who acted so strangely', he muses to himself, early on in the battle. For it is a battle. The fish he has caught is strong, has great endurance, and a cunning that Santiago admires.
As time passes, he starts to talk to himself more and more. He muses on the strength of the fish, and how they are brothers. He desperately wants to catch it, so that he can return to Havana with some glory and enough money to sit and listen to the 'great DiMaggio' on the radio, in peace. But he also admires the fish, and gradually, he becomes unsure as to whether he has made the right decision in trying so hard to kill it.
'Never have I seen a greater, or more beautiful, or a calmer or more noble thing than you, brother. Come on and kill me. I do not care who kills who.'
Santiago is an old man, a man who has accepted his weaknesses and failures, but who also knows his strengths. He has a great confidence in his own abilities, but it is a weary, hesitant confidence that is difficult to explain. On the one hand, he knows that he has the capability to capture the fish. He has caught large fish before, and, thanks to the raw fish he has been eating, considers that he has the strength to keep going, for ever if necessary. But he protests and cajoles and pleads at his individual body parts to work, for them not to fail. 'Hold up, legs. Last for me, head. Last for me. You never went.' He knows he can do it, but, because of his age and the majesty of his 'brother', he is worried that maybe this time, this fish will be the one that got away.
Hemingway's writing is sparse and effective. Sentences are short, sharp, and have very little in the way of flowery words or fancy punctuation. The writing suits the story very well, because Santiago is an up and down man himself. What you see is what you get, both in the characters, the setting, and the writing. There is also the interesting effect where, due to the simplicity of the writing and the sparse selection of characters, the story can be interpreted on many levels. On one, it is the story of man struggling and fighting for something that, once achieved, we cannot hold on to. On the other, it is the sadness and inevitability of age. Or the insignificance of the single man in today's group-action world. Or many other interpretations.
The ending is sad, beautiful and completely appropriate. Could the novel have ended any other way? Yes, but I argue that if it had, then the message, the electricity, the purpose that Hemingway had been building for the previous 90 pages, this would have been lost with the easy, happy solution. Instead, we have man's failure in success, and Santiago's calm acceptance, and it is inspiring.
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Sean (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
A short but powerful story, The Old Man and the Sea tells the story of an aged fisherman and his interminable endurance and strength in his pursuit of a prized fish. The "old man", Santiago, shows all the strength and determination of a true hero, although he is defeated in the end by ravenous sharks. Yet, there is glory even in defeat.
Santiago is portrayed as a near Christ-like figure, although he is not a devout Christian, himself. Through the pain and bleeding, Santiago endures as the hours turn into days in his pursuit of an enormous marlin. And even though he eventually wins the fight with the marlin, his worthy opponent, he is betrayed in the end by sharks. Yet, he perseveres through it all. Although there is nothing left of his fish but the carcass, one can't help feeling triumph for the old man's endurance and sacrifice for pursuit of the marlin.
Hemingway portrays death as a natural occurrence that is inevitable. Although Santiago feels regret for having to kill the marlin, he knows that in the natural order the fish must die. He considers himself a worthy opponent to befall the mighty marlin, whom he greatly respects. Yet, he does not fret over his adversary and considers him a brother. Through their death struggle, Santiago and the marlin develop an intimacy of the soul and a special kinship. Santiago wishes no harm to the marlin, yet he knows that he must ultimately take its life.
In the end, it is Santiago's pride that brings about his downfall, as well as the marlin's. If it wasn't for his immense pride, he would not have ventured so far from shore, and he would have never caught the marlin. If the marlin did not brazenly swim so far from its comrades, it would not have been caught by Santiago. Immense pride compels Santiago to fight for days, although he knows that the marlin is immense and almost too large for his small skiff. Yet, Santiago will not give up hope and he eventually succeeds in subduing the marlin.
Overall, this novel provides a quick, but potent tale about man's endurance and struggle. This may be a relatively simple tale, but Hemingway delivers an entertaining, yet though-provoking story. |
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Cynthia Micco (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
As a reader of many books I would have to say this is one of my favorites. A very well written book that goes through a three day ordeal for a fisherman at sea. Truly the most incredible part of this book is just the word choice that keeps a reader interested in the story. Hemingway, one of the best writers of his time, describes the pain and sufferings of an old fisher man at sea in such an inspiring way just goes to show this mans true brilliance.
It’s not a book that goes on for hours and hours to describe something small or utterly useless. it's a book that flows from page to page and is very even in description. The way Hemingway uses only a few characters and of course the main character the old man (referred to only a few times by the name Santiago.) Helps him paint a mental picture in the readers mind, of what these people could of looked like.
The story revolves around mostly the old man on the sea fishing, but prior to his fishing adventure, Hemingway explores the town which Santiago lives in. A poor Fishing town with a small population in a Spanish speaking country. By adding this part a reader can get a feel for what the life of a character is like before he/she is a quarter of the way into the book.
There are a few issues with the book (hence the four out of five grade) which include how the book bounces around and can become a little choppy at times. Also, a reader may become distracted at times from lack of interest or lack of details. Thankfully the two issues just stated do pick them selves up eventually and the book continues rather smoothly. |
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1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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