Book Review

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Poor man goes fishing. Has only a very small boat. Takes no food. Wears no shoes. With skill he hooks a great fish. Slowly draws him in on his line. Kills the fish with a harpoon. Lashes him to the small boat for the trip home. All of this takes 3 days. On the way sharks attack and eat the fish. On arrival home the fish is just a skeleton and the old man is spent.



At first I was quite bored reading, but then began to see the messages. A simple story but with much to ponder. Despite his poverty and lack of proper tools, he manages to use what he has to do what he can. He is grateful for the fish and his ability to kill them. He also realizes that his downfall was "going too far out" and thus not able to make it back home with any of the fish remaining. He is a man reconciled to his lot in life and does what he can to make the most of it. A good parable for all.



The sweetest part of the story for me is his relationship with a little boy in his town. They have fished together and the boy cares a lot for the old man. When he returns from the trip, the boy is so relieved and cries and cries for him.



A simple life........ working at what you know with the best of your ability.



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