Reviews

老人與海 by Ernest Hemingway

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irishdrew83's review against another edition

5.0

An old man in a small skiff, alone on the open waters of the Caribbean. The bright lights of Havana, Cuba are far behind him as he pushes forward in the pursuit of completing his mission. Like Ahab before him, the old man's foe swims the depths of the sea. However, this is not an age old blood feud fueled by hatred. Instead, this is an instant clash. A fight for survival between man and beast with the man holding no anger or hatred, but love and respect. The sea is the battleground, yet plays an equal role of friend and foe for both combatants. This isn't an old man with a small fish on the end of an expensive rod and reel, held firm with a titanium hook. The old man does his fishing the old way. No rod, no reel, just a line and his hands. The old man knows from experience what is on the other end of the line. A large, powerful fish. A marlin...

To read the rest of this review go to http://drewmartinwrites.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/the-old-man-and-the-sea-1952-book-review/

joshuabushen's review against another edition

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4.0

A classic if there ever was one. My first Hemingway read and a great introduction to his style. 7.2/10

ktxx22's review against another edition

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3.0

The symbolism in this is excellent and the story of perseverance and respecting people whom you admire, or who are older than you made me happy. But I just don't like his writing.

ngrohol's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

justjacq's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I loved The Sun Also Rises and For Whom the Bell Tolls, and it's been quite some time since I've picked up any Hemingway, so I was excited for this one, but it honestly felt a little like a dud. Certainly a short read with a fair amount of adventure, but it just didn't speak to me. Honestly, cut the line, leave the fish, I just didn't understand it. Similar to some other reviews, I also just didn't feel like there's any symbolism or deeper meaning here - it's just an old man on a boat with a big ass fish. I appreciated the loyalty and empathy between the boy and the old man, and even though I didn't love it I DID like that it was a short read, and that it was a fast-paced, simple story.
3.75/5⭐️s

aaron_j136's review against another edition

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3.0

But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated

A short book that symbolises redemption in a religious context. The ending was quite interesting. My main issue with the book is that I was bored as can be and it’s only 99 pages! I learnt things about fishing and life though!