The Old Man and The Sea

Amazon.com

Here, for a change, is a fish tale that actually does honor to the author. In fact The Old Man and the Sea revived Ernest Hemingway's career, which was foundering under the weight of such postwar stinkers as Across the River and into the Trees. It also led directly to his receipt of the Nobel Prize in 1954 (an award Hemingway gladly accepted, despite his earlier observation that "no son of a bitch that ever won the Nobel Prize ever wrote anything worth reading afterwards"). A half century later, it's still easy to see why. This tale of an aged Cuban fisherman going head-to-head (or hand-to-fin) with a magnificent marlin encapsulates Hemingway's favorite motifs of physical and moral challenge. Yet Santiago is too old and infirm to partake of the gun-toting machismo that disfigured much of the author's later work: "The brown blotches of the benevolent skin cancer the sun brings from its reflection on the tropic sea were on his cheeks. The blotches ran well down the sides of his face and his hands had the deep-creased scars from handling heavy fish on the cords." Hemingway's style, too, reverts to those superb snapshots of perception that won him his initial fame:

Just before it was dark, as they passed a great island of Sargasso weed that heaved and swung in the light sea as though the ocean were making love with something under a yellow blanket, his small line was taken by a dolphin. He saw it first when it jumped in the air, true gold in the last of the sun and bending and flapping wildly in the air.

If a younger Hemingway had written this novella, Santiago most likely would have towed the enormous fish back to port and posed for a triumphal photograph--just as the author delighted in doing, circa 1935. Instead his prize gets devoured by a school of sharks. Returning with little more than a skeleton, he takes to his bed and, in the very last line, cements his identification with his creator: "The old man was dreaming about the lions." Perhaps there's some allegory of art and experience floating around in there somewhere--but The Old Man and the Sea was, in any case, the last great catch of Hemingway's career. --James Marcus

Book Description

The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway's most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal -- a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the classic theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss. Written in 1952, this hugely successful novella confirmed his power and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Customer Reviews:

Good delivery.......2007-10-01

It was a good product and it was delivered on time. The only thing i would like to recommend is that the next time stick my name on the box.

A HEMINGWAY CLASSIC ! ( the story is fascinating, and the symbolism offers wisdom).......2007-09-27

Ernest Hemingway's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Old Man And The Sea is the story of an old Cuban fisherman named Santiago, and the several days and nights he spends alone in his skiff, catching, killing, and bringing to shore, a large (bigger than his skiff) Marlin. Santiago has gone eighty-four days without a catch, and on this day he goes out farther than he normally does, and catches his prize (or maybe it's not a prize at all). The man-against-nature aspect of the story is intriguing in itself, but I've always seen this book as a wise parable that teaches a lesson, or even several lessons, in life. The fish is a symbol of a sought after prize, and the sea is a symbol for life itself, the old man has gone out too far, and so on (there's much, much more, but I don't want to give the story away). It actually can be interpreted many different ways, and because of this, it's like piecing together a different puzzle each time you read it. I have read this interesting story many times in my life (I've just finished reading it again), and I always find new ways to interpret it, and new ways to enjoy it. It's only 120+ pages, so it's a book that can be read without a great deal of labor. Hemingway's vivid imagery of the ocean and early 1950s Cuba is fascinating, and the simple, honest, and humble lives of Santiago and his devoted young friend, Manolin are refreshing and heartwarming. The Old Man And The Sea is a book that I have read for years, and one that I will continue to read for many years to come.

Hemigway at His Best.......2007-09-13

Having read and enjoyed most of Hemingway's major works, I recently decided to re-read this one. It was a wonderful decision.

"The Old Man and the Sea" excels at several levels. On the surface, it is a fine story about an old, down on his luck fisherman catching a huge marlin. But it also has deeper meanings including man against the elements, man fighting failure, man's relationship with nature etc. etc. It is also a story well and efficiently told. One of the great books of all time in only 120+ pages. It deserved the Pulitzer and all the other accolades it has received.

Short but Good Enough.......2007-09-06

Are all of Ernest Hemingway's books following For Whom the Bell Tolls that bad? No, and The Old Man and the Sea justifies that answer. This is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, Santiago, who has not caught any fish for eighty-four days and is seen by the other fishermen as unlucky. Even the boy that often fishes with him, Manolin, is not allowed to do so anymore by his father's authority, but still helps him out when he is not fishing. The old man goes out onto the Gulf Stream to make some catches and eventually has an arduous struggle with a large marlin. I am not going to give off any big spoilers (for now at least) in this introduction, but I will say one thing: this is a story about how life can reek of misfortunes but in the end, make prosperity.
Hemingway's novels do not just happen as any ordinary fiction based on some random idea, but rather they are inspired by his real-life experiences. What is The Old Man and the Sea based off of? It is based off two things: his time living in Cuba in 1940 and his favorite past experiences: sailing and fishing. The old man, Santiago, is believed to be based off of Cuban fisherman, Gregorio Fuentes. As another fact, The Old Man and the Sea - Santiago's story - was previously intended for a bigger project of Hemingway's: "The Sea Book."
Hemingway has a very unique way of fleshing out the book's situations with words. For most of the book, the old man is out at sea, alone with nobody to talk to, but does that mean he does not talk at all? No, it does not. Often at times, he will talk to himself, usually talking to his own appendages almost as if they had their own degree of sentience. For example, he would say to his arm, "How do you feel, hand?" (Hemingway 58) when it felt pain and then say, "I'll eat some more for you" (59) when he eats some of his recently caught fish to replenish his arms strength for bigger, upcoming catches. He also talks to the fish he has caught or is going to catch, whether they are dead or alive. He communicates with the marlin in his vicious struggle as if it were a sapient creature.
*Warning! Spoilers Ahead!*
Even after the monstrous fish is caught, he still communicates with it, and forms a spiritual bond with his prize. This is evident during the shark attack, which may have been another great battle for the old man, but results in the loss of most of the marlin's edible parts. He feels that he has failed to protect the fish, which was like a brother to him.
*Spoilers end here*
The Old Man and the Sea is a book I would recommend for anyone that usually has poor reading comprehension skills, like me for instance. In fact, I would recommend it for just about anyone. This book is fairly short but interesting enough to keep you engaged, though if you are reading this for school, you may be compelled to take day-to-day breaks with it. Also, this book is not divided into chapters; it is just one chapter the length of the whole book, so it might be a little hard to know when the best time to take a break is. If you think books of this size are just for pre-high school kids, I would say you are bit too judgmental. As they say not to judge a book by its cover, I should also say not to judge a book by its size. If you just started reading this novel, I will say it should take less than a week if you are not too break-heavy. As this is Hemingway's last major novel, Hemingway's literary career sure did end successfully.

The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway.......2007-08-05

I'am really into classics but I would say this is an ok book not great. If it was longer I wouldn't recommend it but since it is so short (127 pages) it makes it an easy read. It's just a simple story about bad luck and when things start to turn around you lose again. I also got from it that you shouldn't worry about proving yourself to others just to yourself. This book reminded me of The Pearl my John Steinbeck, which is also a short story about courage in the face of defeat dealing more with greed. Read the book but don't expect a great ending with a meaning that you will always remember.

Average customer rating:

the nobel prize for fishing

The Old Man And The Sea
Ernest Hemingway
Manufacturer: Books on Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Published in 1952 and awarded the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA is one of Hemingway's most enduring works.

Completed after a 10-year literary drought, it was his last major work of fiction. Written in Hemingway's characteristically spare prose, it concerns on old Cuban fisherman named Santiago who finally catches a magnificent fish after weeks of not catching anything. After three days of playing the fish, he finally manages to reel it in and lash it to his boat, only to have sharks eat it as he returns to the habor. Santiago is spent but triumphant as the other fishermen marvel at the size of the skeleton.

Customer Reviews:

the nobel prize for fishing.......2003-12-22

A quick comment on the amazonian editorial review, above, which states that the old man is "triumphant as the other fishermen marvel at the size of the skeleton." Perhaps this reviewer read a different book ... there is absolutely no "triumph" or any other strain of hubris in the old man's character. Only a strong resolve and bucketloads of humility. The old man is not even around when the fishermen and tourists are "marvelling" - he's in his shack, in bed, recuperating. Maybe this reviewer never even read the book. Just up to the bit where it starts to get boring, after the old man actually hooks the fish, and then figured on a good Hollywood ending. Fair enough. Actually reading a book is a hindrance to writing a good review. Check out my only other amazonian review, on "Recollections of a Bleeding Heart" and see what I mean. Never even read it. Good review though, don't you think? Sure, no one has yet voted that they found my review useful. I would be very hurt if anyone did. Bleeding utilitarians. If you want to read something useful, read the instruction manual for your dvd player or something. Don't waste your valuable - sorry, useful - time reading reviews by mark coddington.
But I did actually read Hemingway's novella. Sort of felt obliged. You know, when books start to reproach you each time you glance at them? I've got a 614 page biography of Arthur Miller on the bookshelf in front of me, with Arthur's face on the spine looking at me through those crazy black minimalist glasses (they never really caught on, did they?) and he knows (he knows!) that I'm never going get around to reading Timebends in this lifetime. And he's mocking me!
So, this old guy hasn't caught a fish for yonks. Everyone thinks he's no good, except the boy. One day he goes out deep, hooks himself one big effoff fish. Too big to fit in the boat, he straps it alongside and by the time he brings it in, sharks have picked it clean.
I mean, there you have it. Its not about spoils going to the victor. Its not about overcoming great challenges against all odds, then rubbing your detractors' noses in it. Just because The Old Man and the Sea is written by an American, doesn't mean it's about winning.
The book's 127 pages long. After the old man hooks the fish, he takes 83 pages to bring the creature in. 83 pages! Of Hemingway's unrelenting and unembellished prose. Think of the most uncomfortable chair you've ever sat on. Now pick a number between one and ten. Imagine sitting on that chair for that many hours. It will start to give you some idea of what reading this book is like, particularly if you are an empathetic type like me. The cuts on the old man's hands from the line - ow! Now, multiply this number of hours by nine. If you get a two-digit number, add those numbers together, otherwise stick with what you got. Now subtract five. Just do it! (Oops, I think I've broken copyright laws. Ignore that last sentence). Next, count along that number of letters in the alphabet and think of a country starting with the letter you came to. Take the second letter of that country's name and think of the first animal that comes into your head. Got it? Now when you've finished reading this review, I'll tell you what animal that was. (And I'll bet you right now that you didn't think of a fish or an old man.) Okay, do we have a deal? But I digress. The idea of the animal kingdom provides one key to understanding this tale. Firstly, the old man constantly dreams of lions on the beach in Africa. Why? What do lions represent? I do not profess to be proficient in, or interested in, psychoanalytic approaches to literature. But the lions must represent something important to the old man, or why would Hemingway waste his valuable - sorry, useful - time by writing about it? Secondly, the old man (his name is Santiago, by the way, but is seldom referred to as anything other than "he" or "the old man", so I'll follow Ernest's lead) continually refers to the fish he has hooked as his "brother". During the old man's three day fishing marathon, he eats raw fish, as he has no other sustenance, which further emphasizes this "brotherhood". Hemingway is asking, where does man stand in relation to the animal? Then he goes a long way toward answering it: "I am only better than him though trickery and he meant me no harm." And: "But I was more intelligent than he was. Perhaps not, he thought. Perhaps I was only better armed."
The old man is alone, locked in a battle with both himself and the fish. Yet he identifies with the fish; he feels sorry for it: "I wish it were a dream and that I had never hooked him. I'm sorry about it, fish." The fish's name is Alberto, but is only ever referred to as "fish" by Hemingway. In a struggle to come to terms with his own life and imminent death, the old man talks aloud to himself, asking questions both simple and profound. Death is a central motif in The Old Man and theSea, but not one I'm much interested in.
Perhaps looking for motifs, and pondering their significance, is to read too much into a book. Maybe this one is just a story about a guy who catches a fish, a short parable about the food chain. Now there's an interesting question. Do Jehovah's Witnesses read all books in their literal sense, or only the Bible? Hmm. Furthermore, are there any good customer reviews of the Bible on Amazon? I'm off to have a look. Oh - before I go, I must keep my part of the deal. Was it an elephant?

Average customer rating:

the old man and the sea
"We must kill our brothers"

The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
Manufacturer: Arrow Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0099908409

Customer Reviews:

the old man and the sea.......2007-02-15

"The old man let him hit the fish and then drove the knife of the oar down into the shark's brain." This quote from the amazing book "The old man and the sea" by Ernie Hemingway makes you stand at the edge of your feet. The author did a very good job using imagery because during the whole entire book I was able to picture everything in my mind. For example, in the part were Santiago is fighting for what he wants I could feel his emotions. One thing that made me love this book was the theme, which is so aspiring because it teaches you determination and how to endure pain and it also shows you how anything is possible. I really recommend this book who loves to read for the reason being that it can relate to almost anyone because every human being has come to a situation were there just about to give up. Ofcourse you would have to read this book for your self and I guarantee that you wouldn't resist buying it.

E.T.

"We must kill our brothers".......2007-01-21

I really enjoyed the movie (1990) with Anthony Quinn as Santiago. So I decided it was time to read the book. Well I found the book and the movie paralleled pretty well. How ever I was getting bored with the book. He kept going on and on about Joe Dimaggio's bone spur.

There were a few places that made me squeamish. One such place is when he gutted a dolphin and had his face stuck in it.

The story is too short to go into detail without revealing the surprises; however it is about (you guessed it) an old fisherman, that should be over the hill, going out to sea from Cuba to catch fish. He has 84 days of bad luck and with any luck this is about to change (or is it?)

The reader helps bring the story to life.

Average customer rating:

A heroic story.
Long, but detailed.
Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man And The Sea (Cliffs Notes)
Jeanne Salladé Criswell
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Notes | Education | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

Literary Criticism & Collections | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Literature & Fiction | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Reference | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Cliffs Notes | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Children's Books | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Literature & Fiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0764586602

Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

In CliffsNotes on The Old Man and the Sea, you explore Hemingway's short masterpiece about Santiago, an old man who conquers a magnificent fish, endures its heartbreaking loss, and rises gallantly above his defeat.

This study guide takes you along on Santiago's journey by providing summaries and critical analyses of each of the book's parts. You'll also explore the life and background of the author, Ernest Hemingway, easily the most recognizable name in American literature. Other features that help you study include

Character analyses of major players
A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
Critical essays on topics like Hemingway's style and themes in the novella
A review section that tests your knowledge
A Resource Center full of books, films, and Internet sites

Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Customer Reviews:

A heroic story........2007-01-05

When Santiago, the old fisherman, finally decides to try his luck far away from the shore, he probably did'nt realise he would meet his destiny both as a fisherman and a human being.

As a human being because after all his troubles he comes home empty handed, a fate most of us humans will find at the end of our live; we will ask if this is all we have done.

But it seems to me that the story has a second meaning. When a huge sword-fish takes the bait an epic battle starts between the two. The fish swims away, forcing the old man to taut the cord for almost two days. During this moments one could ask who's the hunter and who's the hunted. I believe that this duality makes the story a masterpiece.

Long, but detailed........2002-10-14

"Cliffsnotes Hemingway's the Old Man and the Sea" are decent, but at times very long, but that is because of the detail. If you need to understand the symbolism, then these CliffsNotes are a must! As always, you should read the CliffsNotes AFTER you have read "The Old Man and the Sea." I recommmend.

Old Man and the Sea.......2001-06-08

I think that these cliff notes realy helped me in my report. They made everything clear when after I read the book. I bought a used edition and it was clean and nice. I really think that whoever needs cliff notes at a low price should come her to buy them!! Besides, this is a really good book!!

My Old Man and the Sea: A Father and Son Sail Around Cape Horn

Average customer rating:

Do you have a father?
Mildly interesting, turned off by language
My old Man and the Sea
Inspiring!
A Good Sailing Yarn

My Old Man and the Sea: A Father and Son Sail Around Cape Horn
David Hays , and Daniel Hays
Manufacturer: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Reference & Collections | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Travel | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

Directories | Catalogs & Directories | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1565121023

Amazon.com

David and Daniel Hays, father and son, designed and built a small boat together, then set out to sail it around the tip of South America, a journey that David had dreamed of ever since childhood. Along the way they fought and swore and sweated and shared triumphs large and small.

Book Description

A story of adventure on a small boat, for fathers, for sons, and for those who love them. On this voyage the father relinquishes control, the son becomes the captain, and before long they are utterly alone, with only the huge waves of Cape Horn, a compass, a sextant, a pet cat, and the tiny boat they've built together. "The account of the passage, related in alternating sections by father and son, will be read with delight 100 years from now."--William F. Buckley, The New York Times Book Review, front page; "A must read for sailors of the sea and of the heart."--Eco Traveler.

Over three months as a New York Times Bestseller. A Literary Guild and a Nautical Book Club selection.

Customer Reviews:

Do you have a father?.......2006-11-29

Do you have a son? Have you ever dreamed of a sailing
adventure? This is a book about fathers, sons and
adventures. David and Daniel Hays had a unusual
partnership. This father and son team built a sailboat
together and then sailed it through the Panama Canal
and around Cape Horn.

Just the thought of that accomplishment is enough to
stun me to silence. But wait, as they say on late
night TV, there's more. The narration of the voyage is
shared in alternate chapters by the two men. They are
each astonishingly engaging writers and very willing
to share feelings about this enterprise and each other.
There is no posturing in their writing, just the sense
of hearing the voices of a particular family.
And what voices they are! You would be hard pressed to
find two more engaging writers. Even Dan's account
of being rolled by a Brazilian prostitute is,you should
pardon the expression, infectious.

Ignore the snarky title. This book is much better than
that and would make the perfect Fathers' Day gift from
or to a man you would like to have share your adventures.

--Lynn Hoffman, author of THE NEW SHORT COURSE IN WINE and
the forthcoming novel bang BANG from Kunati Books.ISBN 9781601640005

Mildly interesting, turned off by language.......2005-02-18

I was enjoying this moderately until right about midway (between Galapagos and Easter Island) when the language got rougher than the seas and I deep-sixed it. After reading Joshua Slocum's "Sailing Alone Around The World", (a tremendous story!) this book seemed crude and sophomoric.

My old Man and the Sea.......2002-09-01

I listened to the audio version during a cross country drive with a friend. Along the way, we found ourselves laughing at times, crying at others. Our trip had a lot of ups and downs, much like their travels- of course the amenities of driving a car cross country cannot compare to sailing a boat around the horn!Anyway, my friend identified a little more with the older character, while I identified with his son- it made us think a little more about each others perspective. Definitely the best book on tape I've ever heard.

Inspiring!.......2002-08-07

David and Daniel Hays are the first Americans to sail around Cape Horn in a boat under 30 feet in length. "My Old Man and the Sea" is the inspiring true story of a father and son's 17,000-mile voyage in a 25-foot yacht named Sparrow to the bottom of the world and back.
Although David and Dan sailed the easier route from the Pacific into the Atlantic with the prevailing westerly winds and currents they endured horrific storms that included Dan being tossed overboard during Sparrows dangerous sideways roll.
The tale is even more impressive when you learn that they chose to sail simply, without an engine and used a sextant and compass instead of a navigational system. David explains, "Our sport is to tune our senses not our instruments."
David and Dan's eloquent descriptions of the magnificence of the ocean and the magic of sailing brought back fond memories of my own six-month adventure hitchhiking on sailboats in the Bahamas. Like them, I was inspired to write a book titled "Earth, the Forgotten Temple." Tales concerning profound encounters with Mother Ocean and her other wilderness places need to be shared.
Most moving of all, despite conflicts, the deep love between the father and the son shine through to warm us all.

A Good Sailing Yarn.......2002-08-05

I liked this book and found it to be a good sea story. It is well written and interesting. I especially enjoyed the father's recounting of his memories of boating with his own father before WWII and other random tales. And while I admire the courage of David and Dan's low-tech approach, I do not think this is something for us sailors to emulate; and indeed much has changed in the few years since the book was written due to GPS and improved communications.

The book has its faults. There is a bit too much patronizing half-baked philosophy and sentimental cogitating about personal relationships for my tastes, and the father/son-love-discovery bit gets to be cloying. The title is an indication of much of the off-the-wall, Woody Allen type humor that characterizes their writing. Sometimes their recounting of the jokes they play on each other, and the witty observations they make seem to be aimed at impressing the reader with how clever the authors are. I know they are wittier than I am, but instead of being entertaining, their superior wit left me brooding about my own inadequecies. (Note: Although Bill Bryson is very witty he never leaves the reader feeling inferior or inadequate.)

The actual voyage that the father and son made is not that remarkable and has been done by dozens of yachties. Nevertheless there are details, such as managing with a small motorless yacht, that make the story interesting. Dan and David are expert sailors and boatbuilders and there is much for the weekend sailor to learn from this book about boat handling and managing. Also I found the descriptions of the off-the-beaten-track places that they visited to be perceptive and engaging.

Book Description

Hemingway's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic

Ernest Hemingway did more to change the style of English prose than any other writer in the twentieth century, and for his efforts he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954. Hemingway wrote in short, declarative sentences and was known for his tough, terse prose. Publication of The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms immediately established Ernest Hemingway as one of the greatest literary lights of the twentieth century. As part of the expatriate community in 1920s Paris, the former journalist and World War I ambulance driver began a career that lead to international fame. Hemingway was an aficionado of bullfighting and big-game hunting, and his main protagonists were always men and women of courage and conviction, who suffered unseen scars, both physical and emotional. He covered the Spanish Civil War, portraying it in fiction in his brilliant novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, and he subsequently covered World War II. His classic novella The Old Man and the Sea won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. He died in 1961.

Customer Reviews:

HMMMMM............2007-01-10

I couldn't finish the book coz it was soooooo slow. Sutherland attempts to use exclamations and such but it is just monotonously(?) written. I get the idea behind it and all but can't understand why this is THE book for Hemingway. Ah, but I got through it.

throw away your self-help books, it's all right here.......2006-05-23

call me a throwback, but this slender novel contains more wisdom than entire libraries of self-help books. hemingway tells the story of an old cuban fisherman on his most memorable trip with characteristic simplicity. the man's respect for the fish, courage and inner battle are a fitting finale to hemingway's career. there is more here about character and what life is about than a thousand self-help books.
i listened to the audio version and donald sutherland's performance is the best reading i've heard.

"We must kill our brothers".......2006-05-21

I really enjoyed the movie (1990) with Anthony Quinn as Santiago. So I decided it was time to read the book. Well I found the book and the movie paralleled pretty well. How ever I was getting bored with the book it seemed a bit repetitive. The old man kept going on and on about Joe Dimaggio's bone spur.

There were a few places that made me squeamish. One such place is when he gutted a dolphin and had his face stuck in it.

The story is too short to go into detail without revealing the surprises; however it is about (you guessed it) an old fisherman, that should be over the hill, going out to sea from Cuba to catch fish. He has 84 days of bad luck and with any luck this is about to change (or is it?)

The reader helps bring the story to life.

A CLASSIC STORY COMPELLINGLY READ.......2006-05-18

While many claim that Spencer Tracy's portrayal of Santiago in the film of "The Old Man and the Sea" was the actor's finest performance, Hemingway deemed him to be totally unsuited for the role. Be that as it may, whether on film, in print or as an audio edition, the story stands as of the author's finest.

First published in a 1952 issue of Life magazine, the tale received almost immediate praise. Thus, while the author had originally intended it to be part of a larger work he then decided to publish it as a stand alone book. Some surmise that his inspiration for Santiago was Gregorio Fuentes, a Cuban fisherman hired by Hemingway to look after his boat. Others are equally adamant that Santiago represents everyman. Whatever the case, it is a rousing story undimmed by time.

Santiago, as many remember, is an unlucky fisherman - he has not had a nibble in 84 days. His luck is so poor that the parents of his young apprentice, Manolin, have forbidden the boy to accompany Santiago and instructed him to fish with someone else.

Telling Manolin that he will go farther out than he has before, where he will surely catch a fish, Santiago goes alone. He luck does indeed change and a fish takes his bait that he is sure is a marlin. An epic struggle begins.

If you have not read this Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning story , listen to it and discover wheat happens to Santiago and the enormous creature that he comes to respect enough to call "brother."

Hearing this landmark tale by Hemingway is pleasure in itself. Enjoyment is more than doubled when the narrator is acclaimed film, stage, and television actor Donald Sutherland. His voice is low, resonant; his diction distinct. He reads with sympathy and superb timing, especially when the huge fish first tugs at Santiago's line.

More than highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke

Average customer rating:

"We must kill our brothers"

The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Product Description

A rare, old, clothbound hard cover copy of the Hemingway classic with dust jacket. Special Student's Edition

Customer Reviews:

"We must kill our brothers".......2007-08-18

I really enjoyed the movie (1990) with Anthony Quinn as Santiago. So I decided it was time to read the book. Well I found the book and the movie paralleled pretty well. How ever I was getting bored with the book it seemed a bit repetitive. The old man kept going on and on about Joe Dimaggio's bone spur.

There were a few places that made me squeamish. One such place is when he gutted a dolphin and had his face stuck in it.

The story is too short to go into detail without revealing the surprises; however it is about (you guessed it) an old fisherman, that should be over the hill, going out to sea from Cuba to catch fish. He has 84 days of bad luck and with any luck this is about to change (or is it?)

The reader helps bring the story to life.

The Old Man and the Sea (Special Students Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Old Man and the Sea (Special Students Edition)
Ernest Hemingway
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: B000KDZZR0

The Old Man and the Sea: A Novel (The Scribner Library)

Average customer rating:

The Old Man and the Sea - Review by Trish New, author of The Thrill of Hope and South State Street Journal

The Old Man and the Sea: A Novel (The Scribner Library)
Ernest Hemingway
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Old Man and The Sea

ASIN: B000F1XRV8

Customer Reviews:

The Old Man and the Sea - Review by Trish New, author of The Thrill of Hope and South State Street Journal.......2007-01-08

One of Hemingway's most enduring works, this novella written in 1952 is a simple story of an old Cuban fisherman down on his luck and his relentless agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. It is a theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss. Hemingway's tough, terse, short declarative sentences helped change the style of written English. Hemingway also wrote The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls, the latter which some consider to be his literary masterpiece.
Trish New, author of The Thrill of Hope and South State Street Journal.

Average customer rating:

"We must kill our brothers"
Very good Hemingway, not his greatest
Suspenseful Adventure: See why Hemingway is a great writer
One of greatest stories of all time

The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
Manufacturer: Simon Schuster Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0684718057

Customer Reviews:

"We must kill our brothers".......2006-04-24

Very good Hemingway, not his greatest.......2005-09-20

Story: An old Cuban fisherman, dreaming of glory but hoping for at least a meal, catches a magnificent blue marlin, and struggles relentlessly to reel it in and get it to land, only to have the sharks devour it along the way. A hollow victory? Each reader must decide. An allegory? Very likely.

Commentary: While not Hemingway's greatest work, this is one of his most memorable ones. It's a bit more poetic and metaphorical than his earlier work. The clear, minimalist writing style of Hemingway still shines through, though.

Suggestion: If you enjoy this book, read "Blue Road to Atlantis" which is the same story, but told from the fish's point of view. I think it's even better than "The Old Man and the Sea".

Suspenseful Adventure: See why Hemingway is a great writer.......2005-09-19

I first read Ernest Hemingway as a young college student and missed the depth in his simplicity. Reading him again has turned my opinion around. I urge you to read this book.

In "The Old Man and the Sea," he shows the story is not in the language per se, but in the complexity found in the subtle reality of life.

Of course, "Old Man," is not subtle in the classic sense. What I mean is that Hemingway doesn't labor the book with fantastic descriptions detailing the intricacies of the sea, or of being a fisherman. Instead, he delves into the mind of the old man, shows the fatherly love he has for a young boy, and the quest for his legacy.

A quick read, I finished it in three or so hours. I was captured by the smell of the salt and the slippery feel of fish squirming in a net. I felt the thirst of a long night fighting a huge fish, and the burn of a fishing line running through my hands. I missed the young boy's company late on the boat, and also wished he were to help me fish. How Hemingway did do this to me?

As a Midwesterner, I have barely seen the sea, and have never really fished. It is a great book. Read it for the drama, the language, the psychology, the suspense. It is romance in the sense an old western novel is a romance. By all means, read it.

I fully recommend "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

One of greatest stories of all time.......2004-09-28

Ernest Hemingway was one of the greatest writers of all time, and Old Man and the Sea is one of his greatest works. The story is simple and compelling, as all of his greatest works are, but this one stands out because anybody can see themselves in either the old man, the boy, or even the fish. Once you pick this book up and start reading, the story will envelope you and make it hard to put down. This story is great for students of any age because it is simple enough for young readers and complex and multi-faceted enough for advanced readers. It can be read for a great story about a man in an effort to catch a fish, almost as a child's book, but can be read as a battle of man vs. nature, or even as far as a struggle within a man's own soul. Whatever is read into this story, it is a great work of literature at all of these levels. It will not disappoint any student, teacher, or recreational reader. The stories about what this book means to the world are far longer than the book itself.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books