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britprincess1ajax
May 28, 2016britprincess1ajax rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Ernest Hemingway published his novella THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA in 1952, but it still reads well today, owing to that terse style that won him many a prestigious award. I'm not a big fan of fishing and that kind of lifestyle, so reading this one was a bit of a trudge. However, the book was short, so I'd be damned if I wasn't going to see it through. Which is kind of the point of THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA. Thematically and symbolically, the book is a goldmine. First, it deals with life as an endurance test, overcoming obstacles. (DiMaggio's bone spur, anyone?) If you don't catch a fish for months, the other fisherman deem you too old to be in the game any longer. But the human spirit can defy these declarations. He is not just the "old man," but rather the great fisherman and arm-wrestling champion Santiago, and he aims to conquer the age discrimination against him by capturing a truly great fish in the sea. THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA also describes the loneliness endured in this quest for survival, not just physical survival but the survival of one's dignity in the face of these judgments. Above all, though, perseverance is king, and Hemingway expertly demonstrates that, if at first you don't succeed, try again. You are never too old to do so. So, while I didn't like the book all that much, its brevity was a plus, and it can be interpreted widely and greatly. I wouldn't recommend it, but if any of the above interests you, then maybe it's the book for you.