Rating: 5 out of 5
The Old Man and the Sea
by Earnest Hemingway.
Review by Erin Gurry
Santiago, an elderly, Cuban fisherman, and his
young apprentice had once had some luck upon the
seas. But their streak had passed and Manolin,
the apprentice, had left to join a more fruitful
fishing boat at the request of his father.
Manolin refused to leave the old man altogether
and would often keep him company, help carry his
equipment and bring food to the old man's one
room shack. Santiago, although old, was still
strong in body and mind. He kept his spirits
high and spoke lightly of the 84 days that had
passed without a fish. He believed that 85 was a
lucky number and that it would be this day he
might prove his strength once more.

On the 85th day, Manolin sees the old man off as
he rows out into the Gulf Stream further than he
usually does. Within a few hours, Santiago hooks
what he believes to be a large marlin. With only
a hand line, as it was done then, Santiago
fights to hold on as the fish drags him further
and further away from land. The two day battle
to return with a prized catch ensues with
Santiago using nothing but his aching body and
knowledge of the seas to help him.

This truly simplistic story featuring the aging
Cuban fisherman has stood the test of time.
Written in 1951, this novella is a testament to
the power of classic literature. Hemingway
created a character one could both pity and
admire. The story of one man's determination and
of Manolin's respect for knowledge and wisdom
makes this a book to treasure and share.
Hemingway was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1953
for The Old Man and the Sea. It was also a
noteworthy addition to his prior works which
helped him win the Nobel Prize for Literature in
1954.




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