Book Review: The Old Man and the Sea

I’ve been continuing with my review of famous books. This time, I listed to the AudioBook of The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway. It’s a very long time since I’d listened to this one, and I had forgotten quite a bit of it.

Author

According to Wikipedia, Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist who is known for having an economical, understated style that influenced later 20th-century writers. They also note that he has been romanticized for his adventurous lifestyle and outspoken, blunt public image. I can deal with that.

The Old Man and the Sea

This is a simple story on the surface, but I found it much more powerful than I expected. It is the story of Santiago, an ageing Cuban fisherman who has gone eighty-four days without catching a fish. Determined to prove that he still has what it takes, he sails far out into the Gulf Stream and hooks an enormous marlin. What follows is a long and exhausting struggle between Santiago and the fish.

What I liked most about the book was Santiago himself. He is old, tired, and unlucky, but he never feels weak as a character. His determination is probably the most memorable part of the novel. Even when he is in pain and completely exhausted, he refuses to give up. I found that both admirable and a little frustrating, because there are moments when it seems obvious that he is pushing himself far beyond what is sensible, particularly when he was getting injured from trying to avoid losing the fish. At the same time, that stubbornness is exactly what makes him interesting.

I also enjoyed the strange relationship Santiago develops with the marlin. Although he is trying to kill it, he respects it deeply and even seems to love it in some way. I thought this made the story much more than a simple tale about fishing. The marlin becomes a challenge that Santiago has chosen to face, and his struggle with it feels almost like a test of who he is.

Hemingway’s writing style is very plain and direct. At first, I found this a little too simple, especially because so much of the book consists of Santiago being alone at sea and talking to himself. There were sections that felt slow. However, as the story continued, I started to appreciate the style more. The lack of unnecessary detail gives the book a quiet intensity, and the simplicity makes Santiago’s thoughts and suffering stand out.

What made this audiobook special was the way it was read by Donald Sutherland. He has such a wonderful voice.

The ending is probably what stayed with me most. Without giving too much away, Santiago’s journey does not turn out the way he hopes. I found this disappointing at first, but it also made the story more meaningful. His achievement cannot really be measured by what he brings home.

Summary

This book deserves its reputation as a classic. I would not call it exciting in the usual sense, and parts of it are slow, but I found Santiago’s determination, dignity, and refusal to accept defeat, surprisingly moving. It is a short book, but its ideas about pride, endurance, success, and failure will stay with me for years, now that I’ve finished it.

9 out of 10

2026-10-09