What do you think?
Rate this book
The Old Man and the Sea
The present book is an in-depth critical study of the modern American classic, Ernest Hemingways The Old Man and the Sea, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1952 and the Nobel Prize in 1954. This study, while keeping the novel under the critical lens, examines it against the backdrop of Hemingways aesthetic convictions and overall literary achievement. It throws light on the various dimensions of not only the novel but Hemingways craftsmanship like his use of suggestion and symbolism, his inimitable style, his manipulation of narrative perspective, and the way he projects his philosophical theme of the ephemeral versus the everlasting, which is dramatized in The Old Man and the Sea. The present book will definitely prove useful to students, researchers as well as teachers of English Literature interested in the study of Hemingway and his works.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1952
50 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 29, 2011
The blurb on the back of this book states that it is " a relentless and agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the gulf stream" and when I found out this was a Man VS Fish story my thoughts immediately turned to Moby Dick, undoubtedly the most famous of all (can anyone actually think of another one?) literary Man VS Fish encounters.
And this, frankly, almost made me chuck the book out of the window and run for the hills. I tried to read Moby Dick when I was about fifteen and can only describe my battle with the book as "a relentless and agonizing battle with a dull piece of literature". Ha ha. See, I can laugh now but back then it was not funny. I don't care if Melville supposedly penned, what is frequently eulogised as, A Great American Novel. It is great, if great now means incredibly long and dull.
So, back to Man VS Fish, the diet version, or as Hemingway called it, The Old Man and the Sea. Poetic, poignant and strangely calming which is decidedly unlike much of Hemingway's other work. This book is beautifully written and harks back to a time when people had the patience to connect with nature in a way which is much overlooked now. Today we tend to expect everything to be instant... the internet, TEVO, fast food, 24 hour shopping; they've all got us into the habit of expecting instant gratification. We're not prepared to wait for our successes or measure our possessions and achievements by the amount of work which went into getting them. Santiago on the other hand expresses zen-like patience and in pursuance of his goal, actually lets a giant fish drag him round the gulf stream for three days before eventually harpooning the mighty beast (that's how it's done Ahab)and towing it back to shore while fighting off packs of hungry sharks. Now that is a plate of fish and chips worth waiting for!
And this, frankly, almost made me chuck the book out of the window and run for the hills. I tried to read Moby Dick when I was about fifteen and can only describe my battle with the book as "a relentless and agonizing battle with a dull piece of literature". Ha ha. See, I can laugh now but back then it was not funny. I don't care if Melville supposedly penned, what is frequently eulogised as, A Great American Novel. It is great, if great now means incredibly long and dull.
So, back to Man VS Fish, the diet version, or as Hemingway called it, The Old Man and the Sea. Poetic, poignant and strangely calming which is decidedly unlike much of Hemingway's other work. This book is beautifully written and harks back to a time when people had the patience to connect with nature in a way which is much overlooked now. Today we tend to expect everything to be instant... the internet, TEVO, fast food, 24 hour shopping; they've all got us into the habit of expecting instant gratification. We're not prepared to wait for our successes or measure our possessions and achievements by the amount of work which went into getting them. Santiago on the other hand expresses zen-like patience and in pursuance of his goal, actually lets a giant fish drag him round the gulf stream for three days before eventually harpooning the mighty beast (that's how it's done Ahab)and towing it back to shore while fighting off packs of hungry sharks. Now that is a plate of fish and chips worth waiting for!
September 26, 2019
Personal Response
I like this book a lot. I like that it is about fishing and being in the middle of the ocean in a life or death situation. One thing I don’t like is how people talk. They talk in short, choppy sentences and it annoys me.
Plot Summary
The book starts out with an old man named Santiago and a boy talking about fishing. The old man has not caught a fish for 84 days and is hoping to catch a big one the next day. The young boy gets him some fresh baits and sardines to use so the old man has a better chance. The old man then goes out into the middle of the ocean where he catches the fish of a lifetime. The book then follows him through his fight against this giant fish. He ends up catching the fish and on his way home a bunch of sharks attack it, and there is nothing left. He then brings the fish back and the people at the docks are amazed by the fish. Most of the people are saying that it’s the biggest fish they've ever seen.
Characterization
Santiago hasn’t caught a fish in 84 days. The book follows Santiago(protagonist) out to the sea where he fights this big fish(antagonist). The two fight for survival throughout the whole book, the old man even almost loses him but he fights through and keeps the fish on the line. Eventually, the old man prevails and kills the fish, winning this epic battle.
Setting
The majority of the book takes place far from land in a little skiff. Santiago is out so far he can’t even see land anymore. This makes a person realize how far out he actually is. Him being out so far makes the book have more suspense. If he gets the fish he will have to take it many miles back to shore with sharks and other predators trying to eat it. He could also lose the fish and get hurt, and he might not make it to land in time to be saved. He is out on the sea for two days, and I feel that this really adds to the life and death aspect of this book.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to people around my age. It is somewhat hard to read because they sometimes talk weird, but people around my age and skill level should do fine with this book. I also think people who like the outdoors would like this book.
I like this book a lot. I like that it is about fishing and being in the middle of the ocean in a life or death situation. One thing I don’t like is how people talk. They talk in short, choppy sentences and it annoys me.
Plot Summary
The book starts out with an old man named Santiago and a boy talking about fishing. The old man has not caught a fish for 84 days and is hoping to catch a big one the next day. The young boy gets him some fresh baits and sardines to use so the old man has a better chance. The old man then goes out into the middle of the ocean where he catches the fish of a lifetime. The book then follows him through his fight against this giant fish. He ends up catching the fish and on his way home a bunch of sharks attack it, and there is nothing left. He then brings the fish back and the people at the docks are amazed by the fish. Most of the people are saying that it’s the biggest fish they've ever seen.
Characterization
Santiago hasn’t caught a fish in 84 days. The book follows Santiago(protagonist) out to the sea where he fights this big fish(antagonist). The two fight for survival throughout the whole book, the old man even almost loses him but he fights through and keeps the fish on the line. Eventually, the old man prevails and kills the fish, winning this epic battle.
Setting
The majority of the book takes place far from land in a little skiff. Santiago is out so far he can’t even see land anymore. This makes a person realize how far out he actually is. Him being out so far makes the book have more suspense. If he gets the fish he will have to take it many miles back to shore with sharks and other predators trying to eat it. He could also lose the fish and get hurt, and he might not make it to land in time to be saved. He is out on the sea for two days, and I feel that this really adds to the life and death aspect of this book.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to people around my age. It is somewhat hard to read because they sometimes talk weird, but people around my age and skill level should do fine with this book. I also think people who like the outdoors would like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2020
Mooi boek over een visser die gaat vissen (ja, dat is het hele plot). Hij slaat een grote vis aan de haak (letterlijk) die zich niet zomaar laat vangen. Gedurende het verhaal begeeft de oude man zich in een dagenlang conflict met deze vis, waarbij met zijn eigen gedachten discussieert over wie hij is en wat hij doet (soms lijkt het alsof deze vis alles betekent voor deze man). Mooi geschreven, leuke eerste Hemingway ervaring.
June 13, 2023
At first I was bored and honestly just reading the book because it’s a classic and I felt like I “should”. But once he started to battle the fish and then attempted to protect it I felt like I was there and could feel literal anxiety wanting him to take this fish home. Great read!
September 13, 2023
3.5⭐️ well written but I was bored with this one.
July 14, 2019
Ronald Southerland's reading is too relaxing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2011
The auther of this book wonderfully depicts the scene of a courageous old fisherman who challenged all the difficulties he encountered.It's quite sufficient that it contains the most quoted sentence " man can be defeated but not destroyed." The story has some motives like courage, ambition,and persistence. Alone in the sea without anything, but simple equipments and bad luck the old man struggles until he caught the Marlin.
All in all this book taught me that life is a challenge, meet it.
All in all this book taught me that life is a challenge, meet it.
May 4, 2008
amazing
May 12, 2008
One of my top favorite books ever.
Read it in one night. Its a short thing, only about 2 hours to read.
Brilliant.
Read it in one night. Its a short thing, only about 2 hours to read.
Brilliant.
February 25, 2017
1.) The exposition is that people make fun of the old man santiago because he can't catch any fish. Even the little boy family tells him to find another boat to fish with because the old man has no luck with fishing. No matter what the little boy doesn't give up on the old man and he loves and care for him. The old man finally gets a fish but the sharks attack.
2.) The setting in the book “ The Old man and the sea”. Majority of the book takes place in the old man's boat which is very obvious because of the title.The old man interacts with his environment, commenting frequently on the sun, moon, and stars. The story mainly took place either in his boat in the sea or in his house.
3.) The protagonist in the story would be the old man because we spend a ton of time watching him, we feel sympathetic towards him, and his character development drives the story. The readers can get into the old man's head which is why i feel as if he's the protagonist.
4.) In this book there could be two antagonist which would be the sharks and the Marlin. The reason i say it could be the sharks is because they always eat the fish from the old man. They Are greedy creatures and always takes what the old man worked for. The fish seems so always disrespect the Merlin as well.
5.) The major conflict throughout the book was man vs. nature. Santiago, the old man is at odds with nature because he makes a living by it, as being a fishermen. The see does not provide him with enough fish to catch to survive on. But yet he catches a marlin but the sea does not allow him to keep the large marlin and he returns home with nothing in his hands.
6.) The rising action is when the old man is out in the sea and continue to build. He doesn't give up just because he doesn't catch fish day, every week, every month. And that he will finally go “far out” into the ocean. The marlin takes the bait, but Santiago is unable to reel him in, which leads to a three-day struggle between the fisherman and the fish.
7.) The climax is when the marlin circles the skiff while Santiago slowly reels him in. Santiago nearly passes out from exhaustion but gathers enough strength to harpoon the marlin through the heart, causing him to lurch in an almost sexual climax of vitality before dying.
8.) Santiago sails back to shore with the marlin tied to his boat. Sharks follow the marlin’s trail of blood and destroy it. Santiago arrives home toting only the fish’s skeletal carcass. The village fishermen respect their formerly ridiculed peer, and Manolin pledges to return to fishing with Santiago. Santiago falls into a deep sleep and dreams of lions.
9.) The resolution was the old man returns with carcass of Marlin. The old man is tired and the only person that really cares for him is Marlin, the little boy.
10.) The ending basically says you can only fight your own battle. No one really understands what you have been through and will be blinded. The ending the waiter and the tourist was blinder by the marlin tail not realizing what the old man been through.
11.) Manolin is Santiago’s apprentice and devoted attendant. The old man first took him out on a boat when he was merely five years old. His love for Santiago is amazing, as the two discuss baseball and as the young boy recruits help from villagers to improve the old man’s health conditions.
12.) a memorable quote would be “ He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach. They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy.” That was important to me, at first i didn't understand what exactly the author was talking about but as i read it more i feel as if he was bring his life to an end. As the old man sees lions on the beach could resemble of him seeing the light.
2.) The setting in the book “ The Old man and the sea”. Majority of the book takes place in the old man's boat which is very obvious because of the title.The old man interacts with his environment, commenting frequently on the sun, moon, and stars. The story mainly took place either in his boat in the sea or in his house.
3.) The protagonist in the story would be the old man because we spend a ton of time watching him, we feel sympathetic towards him, and his character development drives the story. The readers can get into the old man's head which is why i feel as if he's the protagonist.
4.) In this book there could be two antagonist which would be the sharks and the Marlin. The reason i say it could be the sharks is because they always eat the fish from the old man. They Are greedy creatures and always takes what the old man worked for. The fish seems so always disrespect the Merlin as well.
5.) The major conflict throughout the book was man vs. nature. Santiago, the old man is at odds with nature because he makes a living by it, as being a fishermen. The see does not provide him with enough fish to catch to survive on. But yet he catches a marlin but the sea does not allow him to keep the large marlin and he returns home with nothing in his hands.
6.) The rising action is when the old man is out in the sea and continue to build. He doesn't give up just because he doesn't catch fish day, every week, every month. And that he will finally go “far out” into the ocean. The marlin takes the bait, but Santiago is unable to reel him in, which leads to a three-day struggle between the fisherman and the fish.
7.) The climax is when the marlin circles the skiff while Santiago slowly reels him in. Santiago nearly passes out from exhaustion but gathers enough strength to harpoon the marlin through the heart, causing him to lurch in an almost sexual climax of vitality before dying.
8.) Santiago sails back to shore with the marlin tied to his boat. Sharks follow the marlin’s trail of blood and destroy it. Santiago arrives home toting only the fish’s skeletal carcass. The village fishermen respect their formerly ridiculed peer, and Manolin pledges to return to fishing with Santiago. Santiago falls into a deep sleep and dreams of lions.
9.) The resolution was the old man returns with carcass of Marlin. The old man is tired and the only person that really cares for him is Marlin, the little boy.
10.) The ending basically says you can only fight your own battle. No one really understands what you have been through and will be blinded. The ending the waiter and the tourist was blinder by the marlin tail not realizing what the old man been through.
11.) Manolin is Santiago’s apprentice and devoted attendant. The old man first took him out on a boat when he was merely five years old. His love for Santiago is amazing, as the two discuss baseball and as the young boy recruits help from villagers to improve the old man’s health conditions.
12.) a memorable quote would be “ He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach. They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy.” That was important to me, at first i didn't understand what exactly the author was talking about but as i read it more i feel as if he was bring his life to an end. As the old man sees lions on the beach could resemble of him seeing the light.
Read
October 21, 2025Buku The Old Man and the Sea karya P. G. Rama Rao bukanlah novel baru, melainkan sebuah analisis mendalam terhadap karya legendaris Ernest Hemingway dengan judul yang sama. Dalam buku ini, Rama Rao menelusuri makna, simbolisme, dan nilai-nilai filosofis yang terkandung dalam kisah sang nelayan tua, Santiago, yang berjuang menangkap ikan marlin raksasa di tengah laut.
Melalui pendekatan sastra dan pemikiran kritis, penulis menjelaskan bagaimana perjuangan Santiago mencerminkan semangat manusia melawan nasib, kesepian, dan keterbatasan diri. Rama Rao juga menyoroti gaya bahasa khas Hemingway—yang sederhana namun penuh kekuatan emosional—serta menggali pesan moral dan religius yang tersirat di balik kisah tersebut.
Buku ini cocok untuk pelajar, mahasiswa sastra, maupun pembaca umum yang ingin memahami lebih dalam makna di balik novel The Old Man and the Sea. Dengan bahasa yang analitis tapi tetap hangat, P. G. Rama Rao membantu pembaca melihat karya Hemingway bukan sekadar cerita tentang nelayan tua, tetapi juga sebuah refleksi tentang keteguhan manusia dalam menghadapi hidup.
Melalui pendekatan sastra dan pemikiran kritis, penulis menjelaskan bagaimana perjuangan Santiago mencerminkan semangat manusia melawan nasib, kesepian, dan keterbatasan diri. Rama Rao juga menyoroti gaya bahasa khas Hemingway—yang sederhana namun penuh kekuatan emosional—serta menggali pesan moral dan religius yang tersirat di balik kisah tersebut.
Buku ini cocok untuk pelajar, mahasiswa sastra, maupun pembaca umum yang ingin memahami lebih dalam makna di balik novel The Old Man and the Sea. Dengan bahasa yang analitis tapi tetap hangat, P. G. Rama Rao membantu pembaca melihat karya Hemingway bukan sekadar cerita tentang nelayan tua, tetapi juga sebuah refleksi tentang keteguhan manusia dalam menghadapi hidup.
May 7, 2023
I enjoyed reading the novel "The Old Man and The Sea." The story did start off slow, but it picked up as it went on which led me to enjoy the book more as I read it. What I didn't enjoy about the novel was that there weren't many characters featured in the story. There were only like 3-4 characters in the whole novel! This isn't a bad thing, I just think adding a few more characters would have spiced it up a little bit.
Also, I did enjoy how the book was written. The vocabulary wasn't too hard to follow along, and I did enjoy the plot of the novel as it developed smoothly. It was entertaining! The book is written through a third person omniscient narrative, using the author, Ernest Hemingway's perspective. It definitely was not a bad book, but I would not say that it was the best book I've ever read. As a ninth grader, I would recommend this novel to anyone from the ages of 13+.
Also, I did enjoy how the book was written. The vocabulary wasn't too hard to follow along, and I did enjoy the plot of the novel as it developed smoothly. It was entertaining! The book is written through a third person omniscient narrative, using the author, Ernest Hemingway's perspective. It definitely was not a bad book, but I would not say that it was the best book I've ever read. As a ninth grader, I would recommend this novel to anyone from the ages of 13+.
February 3, 2025
“now is no time to think of what you don’t have. think of what you can do with what there is”.
aku tertarik baca karena buku ini dianugerahi penghargaan pulitzer & nobel.
premis yang ditawarkan sangatlah sederhana, mengenai santiago ‘old man’ yang berusaha mendapatkan ikan marlin besar.
hemingway menggunakan ikan sebagai simbol perjuangan antara hidup dan mati. setiap orang memiliki medan perjuangannya sendiri, baik itu laut seperti halnya santiago, sawah, pasar, kampus, sekolah, dsb.
santiago digambarkan sebagai manusia yang gigih & tahan banting. sejauh mana ia mau berusaha meskipun semua usahanya tampak tidak menghasilkan apa-apa?
ga heran novel ini terkenal, novel ini bagai pelita yang menerangi kembali semangat hidup 🕯
aku tertarik baca karena buku ini dianugerahi penghargaan pulitzer & nobel.
premis yang ditawarkan sangatlah sederhana, mengenai santiago ‘old man’ yang berusaha mendapatkan ikan marlin besar.
hemingway menggunakan ikan sebagai simbol perjuangan antara hidup dan mati. setiap orang memiliki medan perjuangannya sendiri, baik itu laut seperti halnya santiago, sawah, pasar, kampus, sekolah, dsb.
santiago digambarkan sebagai manusia yang gigih & tahan banting. sejauh mana ia mau berusaha meskipun semua usahanya tampak tidak menghasilkan apa-apa?
ga heran novel ini terkenal, novel ini bagai pelita yang menerangi kembali semangat hidup 🕯
September 4, 2025
I remember seeing this book as a kid, and it was considered a good book. I can see why it was considered a good one. It had fewer dialogues, fewer conversations, yet it was so captivating. Everytime the line "I wish I had the boy" or "I wish the boy was here" something inside me broke.
Santiago thought, "No one should be alone in old age" and then later the story itself proved why. Honestly, I was kinda afraid that he'd be food to fish in the sea and wouldn't come back ever. That thought itself burned me alive. When the boy cried, my soul cried with him. I was telling myself, 'this is the end'.
It's a nice story. It might sound boring in the beginning, but it was very captivating after some time. This book makes sense why it's a "classic".
Santiago thought, "No one should be alone in old age" and then later the story itself proved why. Honestly, I was kinda afraid that he'd be food to fish in the sea and wouldn't come back ever. That thought itself burned me alive. When the boy cried, my soul cried with him. I was telling myself, 'this is the end'.
It's a nice story. It might sound boring in the beginning, but it was very captivating after some time. This book makes sense why it's a "classic".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
I love this book! It makes me feel so powerfull and strenght for whatever it comed, like I can beat anything that life puts on my way. I mean I’m alive and that’s all I need right now to keep fighting
November 20, 2018
Good read
August 19, 2019
This book is strangely interesting. It was recommended to me by family and I really enjoyed it. The Old Man and the Sea is a great book for all ages.
August 26, 2020
Read this book finally and enjoyed it for the most part. Definitely some interesting life messages in this one.
Read
April 27, 2021a really good book
patient ,struggle ,thr fight inside.
patient ,struggle ,thr fight inside.
May 8, 2021
Super book, has a nice peaceful ending.
June 29, 2021
This is a good short story about a old man, a fish and a boy. From this book I especially discovered how to be patient and hopeful in hard situations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2021
Still one of my favorite books. It feels like a meditation when I read it.
May 5, 2022
I found it iust okay .
November 21, 2022
Hemingway really thought he did something with this book
January 25, 2023
Enjoyable book but i thought it was overarrated.
September 23, 2023
Not my liking but good book
September 9, 2025
Fiction>American Classic
Great short read but did not hold my interest very well. Sometimes I find classics to be overrated, and this is one of those times.
Great short read but did not hold my interest very well. Sometimes I find classics to be overrated, and this is one of those times.
November 7, 2025
A good Novella - on human nature of endurance, self determination of goals and teaching our youth how to be strong principalled adults.
August 24, 2018
slow but it keeps you sticking with it. i liked it because he caught a big fish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews