From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

The Old Man and the Sea

Ernest Hemingway

Start date: October 1, 2022

Finish date: October 31, 2022

Discussion: Lesser Know Classics

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What Members Thought

May 19, 2012 midnightfaerie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics

I was a Hemingway virgin. Now I'd like to be a Hemingway whore. Hemingway's simplistic style amazingly still gives great depth to plot and character all the while maintaining a suspense that made it difficult for me to put the book down. I can't say enough of how much I enjoyed this book. The resilience and determination of our main character, Santiago, allows the reader to make connections to not only their own life but to the challenges and struggles of the working man. I've heard rumors that I was a Hemingway virgin. Now I'd like to be a Hemingway whore. Hemingway's simplistic style amazingly still gives great depth to plot and character all the while maintaining a suspense that made it difficult for me to put the book down. I can't say enough of how much I enjoyed this book. The resilience and determination of our main character, Santiago, allows the reader to make connections to not only their own life but to the challenges and struggles of the working man. I've heard rumors that Hemingway liked to write drunk, and even had a quote that something like "Write drunk, edit sober." Whether or not this is true, really has no bearing on his literary ability. (Imbibe, man, imbibe!)

But seriously, I did some reading up on his life and realized there were many things I didn't know. I didn't know he committed suicide. He led a sad and lonely life, despite being married often, and seems like he felt as if he were mostly alone.

There have been comparisons between The Old Man and the Sea and Moby Dick but I don't think they're significant enough to compare the two. What is it that makes a reviewer compare two great works when the greatness of each work is so momentous that it bleeds one into another and diminishes the distinctiveness and individuality of each endeavor? Now before I get disparaging comments on this subject, let me state that I realize this isn't always true. Lord of the Rings, for example, has become the cornerstone of fantasy by which all other fantasy works are compared to. It's almost a standard in reviewing fantasy. But Moby Dick and The Old Man and the Sea are so fantastically different in their own right, I just feel like it's a crime to compare them.

In any case, this book has had a big impact on me and I await the time to finish my next Hemingway. I seriously think I'm in love. Can one marry a dead author when one is already married? My sister once said she wanted to marry chocolate so I'd like to think it's possible. Thoughts?

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Oct 05, 2013 Shirley (stampartiste) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-classics, golden-girls-book-club

I first read this book for a Literature assignment in 10th grade. At that age, I was young and impatient and thought the book was long and pointless. I hated it. Many years later, I have just completed a re-reading of it as a book club selection. It’s amazing how the ordinary struggles of life have changed my perspective about this “long and pointless” book. As hard as life is for people now, few of us have probably struggled to survive on a daily basis as Santiago (the Old Man) did. And yet, Sa ...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Aaron Schmidt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: challenge

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Another book I decided to revisit. Once again I make the observation that I truly did not get out of this book what it had to offer back when I read it originally. I am not 100% sure how I feel about this one. Hemingway is such an easy writer to read, for the most part, but there is more to his writing than meets the eye. The simplicity of the words juxtaposes the complexity of the story, or more accurately the meaning. The story is simple. An old man travels out to sea, catches a big fish, and ...more

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