Blue Road to Atlantis

by Jay Nussbaum

An inspirational retelling of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea finds the remora Fishmael traveling with his marlin mentor, known as the "Old Fish," in his quest for a higher vision and a more fulfilling life. 35,000 first printing.

Genres: Animals

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I chose for my book club to read. I chose it because earlier in the year I met and had dinner with the author, Jay Nussbaum.
The category for the months book was humor. I thought the book was funny and very entertaining but for some reason about 20% of the club did not share my enthusiasm.
The book is about a big fish and life under the sea and fishing from a fishes perspective. In the first chapter the main character introduced himself by saying "Call me Fishmael". That is funny. It is like a cross between Moby Dick, The Old Man and the Sea and Finding Nemo.
I still think it is a very good read despite what the minority of my book club members think.
It is a quick read so enjoy it.

[Marco Svevo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"una corrente è qualcosa di inafferrabile. proprio come le correnti oceaniche che ci circondano, la puoi sentire se sai come farlo.ma le correnti dell'oceano sono facili da sentire. basta che un pesce smetta di nuotare, smetta di parlare, smetta di ascoltare e smetta di sforzarsi, e la corrente si rivela." "che beneficio trarrebbe mai il mondo da un ignorante che se ne stesse in disparte? un buffone che si isola non diffonderebbe le sue tesi, negando al resto di noi la possibilità di imparare. perciò, benedetto sia lo sciocco che si fa sentire. e benedetto sia chi ha certezze."

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book--it is the story of Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea told from the point of view of the marlin and the remora (the fish who lives on the Marlin). It is filled with allegory (as these books are), but very well done. It follows the Hemingway book carefully as the Marlin is snagged, dragged, and finally captured.

A fun thoughtful book--good to read with the Hemingway.

[K. Axel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you know that famous story that Hemingway wrote? Yes, the one with the old man who hasn't caught anything for... many days... yet, one day, his luck may be about to change.

It doesn't make sense to go through every chapter of the story, so instead I offer a short review.

This story dives down below the waves and tell the same story as Hemingways 'The Old Man and the Sea', but this time from the perspective of the fish. It is a story of friendship, love, concentric circles, Atlantis and... death. It is very philosphical and this is most positive. I loved reading the thoughts of Fishmael and his conversations with Old Fish and Jotaro. I expected to feel sad by the end, afterall, you know the outcome from the very beginning, but I didn't. Death, afterall, is part of life and however little we like it... is inevitable.

This story comes highly recommended. From me at least.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember picking this book up when I was sixteen or so and reading the entire thing while I waited for my dad to get fitted for a suit. I was in tears by the end, I absolutely love this book, one of my all time favorites and I wish it was more widely available. It even got me to read Hemingway, which is nothing short of effing miraculous.

There's just something I really adore about the sea as both an atmosphere and a character, which likely had a lot to do with how much I loved this, but its philosophical aspect appealed to me as well, especially in contrast with the unadorned Old Man and the Sea, of which this book is a sort of spin-off. Both emotional and, in places, humorous. If you can find it, read it.

[Kristal Stidham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really charming story. Very clever how the author made the fishes lives, thoughts, speech... mirror that of humans but in a way that made sense in the underwater world.

The end lost me a bit, but I see from other reviews that it ties into "The Old Man and the Sea" which I read a long time ago and have forgotten all about since. I'm inspired to re-visit that book to enjoy the parallel plot.

[Gokhan Polat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a friendship in the ocean that turns heart-wrenchingly sad to explore the link between humans and nature (ocean, fish, creatures) on a spiritual level.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

almost like a fairy tale. but much more intelligent.

[Debra]

You know the book will be good when the first line is "Water if life."