The Old Man and the Sea - Pre-Read

[Betsy]

Welcome to our November 2020 Classics group read! This month we'll be reading The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway.

This is a spoiler free zone. If you’ve already started, join the conversation over here.

What have you heard about this book? Is it the kind of book you’d pick up by yourself? What are you hoping to discover?

[Gil-or (readingbooksinisrael)]

I've always heard that Ernest Hemingway isn't good, but I read Hills Like White Elephants five years back and liked it so I've been wanting to try more despite the many bad reviews. So hopefully I a) get to this next month and b) enjoy it.

[Cheryl]

I've not liked any Hemingway that I've tried except for this novella. I really like this. But I like it as a pleasure read, not as fancy *L*iterature, so I don't know if I want to reread and discuss now or not.

[Thomas]

Never read any Hemingway. Very excited to join in for this 👌🏼😁

[Candice]

This is the first time I will be reading Hemingway. I've heard good things about The Old Man and the Sea. Suppose to be a classic, excited to see what all the fuss is all about!

[Ricky]

This is my favorite book by Hemmingway. I look forward to other peoples opinion on this book. I have read it at least 10 times or more, I have lost count over the years.

[Susan]

I’ve been organizing and cataloguing all the books I have class sets of (HS English teacher) and haven’t read this one. I’ve read Hemingway before (Farewell to Arms, In Our Time). I like Hemingway, like his style, at least. This one has been on my list for a while. I’m looking forward to reading it.

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

Susan wrote: "I’ve been organizing and cataloguing all the books I have class sets of (HS English teacher) and haven’t read this one. I’ve read Hemingway before (Farewell to Arms, In Our Time). I like Hemingway,..."

* I actually used this book in classes during my 1st year of teaching high school English! Despite THAT experience, I STILL love the book, lol! But seriously tho, I wish that I had been teaching an older group for this novella, one better able to appreciate the subtle nuances in Hemingway's writing style. The class that I had were 14 year olds only looking 'for the action' and for 95% of them it was the 1st time they had EVER had to read a novel for ANY class, and me being the 'newbie' teacher that year, I did NOT get much choice in my classroom texts.

But again, *I* STILL LOVE this story! --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Tr1sha]

I thought this was wonderful when I read it before, so definitely want to read it with the group.

[Susan]

Jen: (Still trying to figure out how to quote/tag people) I have never taught Hemingway, at least not one of his novels. I’ve done the odd short story. I’ve been teaching high school for a while and am currently in this teeny tiny rural school outside of the Denver/metro area. But I have the most amazing book room. It’s insane the class sets I have. The problem is my kids’ motivation/skill level is in the toilet. Great kids, but getting them reading and excited about reading is an ordeal. I think I could see my 11th/12th graders getting into Hemingway. He’s clear and direct and tells a good story. We shall see...

[Nike]

I am very pleased and excited since I nominated this book! It has been on my shelf for many years and it's about time! The only thing I read by him is a short story that I liked very much. I'll probably start reading it late November though since I have a pile to read first.

[[deleted user]]

Can't wait to start reading this book tomorrow! I have an old edition that has been sittin sitting on my bookshelf for years. This is the first time I'll be reading a book togheter with another group of people and that's super exciting! I've never read anything about Hemingway and honestly I don't even know the plot, so I'm very curious.

[Susan]

Looking forward to starting this one. Need to finish The Illustrated Man first. I’ve been on a bit of a Ray Bradbury kick this month.

This is also the first time that I’ve participated in this group. Looking forward to it. I love getting deep with books and my real life book club and reading friends don’t like reading the classics and such. Quite excited!

[Ashley]

This was my most hated required reading from high school lol. I'm debating whether I want to try it again. At least it's short.

[Cheryl]

Beatrice and all: heh... plot... yeah, that's not what's important here, as I'm sure you will realize pretty quickly... ;)

[Martina]

I read this one in a high school and found it very boring. In a past week I did a re-read and completely changed my opinion about this book 🙂. So I guess it was worth it.

[Ashley]

This is my first time reading Hemingway, and my first book with this books club! Very excited 🤗

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I read this in Junior high, and I am re-reading it to see if I have changed my mind as a grown adult. While I can see that it is an amazing story and worthy of its acclaim, it made me cringe and become sad when I was a kid,

[Delaney]

Hemingway is definitely an acquired taste, but I think this book is a great start to getting a feel for his writing. If you like this book, I also highly recommend A Farewell to Arms.

[Cynthia]

I read In Our Time for a class in college and ended up writing a spin off version of it for my final lol. I don't think I've ever read the Old Man and the Sea but I'm very excited to give it a shot and just started reading it last night.

[Gil-or (readingbooksinisrael)]

My hold hasn't come in yet :(

[Gil-or (readingbooksinisrael)]

It's come in!

[Nora]

I've heard of Hemingway before, but I have never actually picked up a book of him. I have heard from one of my two english teachers that it can be a bit of a difficult read for a non-native student, but my other teacher said I will be just fine reading it, so I'm really anticipating it!