I am relatively new to Ernest Hemingway's work. This was the third of his books I have read and I must say it was my least favourite of the three.
The Old Man and the Sea, arguably, has only one character; Santiago. A down-on-his-luck fisherman who rows out one day and hooks an enormous Marlin on his line. What follows is a desperate battle, fought over several days, during which the Marlin drags Santiago and his little boat further out to sea whilst Santiago stubbornly holds onto the line and refuses to let the fish go.
There were several positive aspects to the book; I felt Hemingway portrayed the self doubt and struggle of Santiago well throughout the book, the pace was good and the actions and thoughts of Santiago were shown well albeit in Hemingway's usually sparse and direct style and initially I found the simpleness of the story very appealing.
Ultimately I didn't like this book which saddened me as it is generally considered one of his best works. Although I initially liked the sparse nature of the story and the fast pace, by the end of the book I felt very strongly that the story needed more meat on its bones. I never felt as if I got to know much about Santiago, the story became very repetitive after a while and frankly too much time was spent in the boat with Santiago when other characters could have been introduced and developed. I found the wholesale, haphazard slaughter of sea creatures uncomfortable reading however I did expect it knowing what a fan of big game hunting Hemingway was. As for Santiago repeatedly eating sea creatures raw (including a dolphin and several flying fish from inside the dolphin's stomach) I felt Hemingway had gone a little too far with his obsession with macho behaviour. For most of the book I was actually rooting for the Marlin rather than Santiago which I'm not sure I was supposed to do.
According to critics and literary experts the novella is full of hidden meaning and some religious significance. Personally I did not see any of this but rather the idea of Man against Beast which has been done to death.
Perhaps I am missing the point of it, who knows? All I can say for certain is that I didn't really enjoy it.
Overall rating 2/5
Chris
I didn't love this one either. A Moveable Feast remains my favorite Hemingway, many of his other books are just a bit too spare for my taste.
ReplyDeleteIt seems we are fairly opposite in our Hemingway! This is my most favorite of the three I've read, and I believe the one you called your favorite is the only one I didn't like...
ReplyDeleteI've never read this, because I always thought it sounded terrible. Well done for getting through it!
ReplyDeleteThis is the only Hemingway I've read and that was back in highschool-- maybe that is why I never read any of his other works.
ReplyDeleteAt the library, there is a new kid's book called Young Man and the Sea-- I think it is a middle grade take on the original.
Oh I loved this one! I think it was mainly because I had such a personal connection to it. That's a bummer it didn't do it for you.
ReplyDeleteI actively dislike this book. My distaste is every bit as strong as the days (seemed more like eons) that we spent on this in high school. My English teacher decided to use this book to thoroughly acquaint us with the idea of metaphors. We spent forever listing ALL of the metaphors on every single page. The only enjoyment my friend and I got out of it was having a contest to see who could come up with the most outrageous metaphorical meaning and get the teacher to write it on the board. I think we called it a draw. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've heard several different opinions about this book, but most of them were either dislike or outright hate. Of course, that could be because it was a required reading book for many of my friends last year, but still...I don't think I'll be reading it anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI haven't actually read any Hemingway. I don't think this would be the one for me - so what one would you recommend I start with?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Jessica. This was my first Hemingway and I was shocked when I read it. I thought there was no way this can be his best work. Thankfully I persevered with him and have enjoyed all his other works.
ReplyDelete@ Avid Reader: We are experiencing really heavy snow in the UK at the moment but as soon as a Moveable Feast arrives I'll let you know what I think :o)
ReplyDelete@ Amanda: It seems we are destined never to agree on Hemingway! lol Nevermind, variety is the spice of life as they say.
@ Marieke: I thought the idea for the book sounded interesting and I gave Hemingway enough credit to think he could pull it off but it seems I was mistaken :o(
@ Lesa: Hemingway is not taught in UK schools as a general rule and I've never met anyone who studied it but I can imagine a book like that being a struggle for a child to grasp.
@ Allie: I read your review for Old Man and the Sea, I can see why you would feel a personal connection. I've never liked fishing, always found it terminally boring. Perhaps thats another reason I didn't get on with the book.
Bev Hankins: I bet it would be an interesting experience to pick it up again and try to read it as a reader rather than a student. I did that with 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck and found I could appreciate it much more the second time around without the pressure of exam results! lol
@ Zara: I definately didn't hate the book, It wasn't awful enough for that but I would say that it's very unlikely i'll pick it up again (but never say never I guess)
@ Sam: That's a big question Sam! lol I've only read three of his books so I'm probably not the best qualified to advise but I will stick my neck out and say 'A Farewell to Arms' was the best of all the ones I've read. I reviewed it recently so have a look and see if you like the sound of it. I also reviewed Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises on here too.
Chris
@ Pinksheepcafe: Although Jessica is flattered you thought she wrote such a fantastic review I'm afraid she can't take the credit on this occasion! ;o) lol
ReplyDeleteThankfully I discovered Hemingway before I read Old Man and the Sea or it could potentially have put me off reading his other works
Chris
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ReplyDeleteI love this book....the first time I read it was when I was in college and very keen on American literature and very keen on Hemingway. I liked it. The second time I read this book was when my daughter was assigned the book in high school. I read it so that we could analyze and discuss the book together. Sitting on our back porch, I read the book in one beautiful afternoon, and wept over every word....every loss, every sorrow panged my heart. I loved the book, and I wept over Santiago. I have recently re-read the book for a third time, preparing to teach it to high school students. I read it with fresh eyes and fresh vision, seeing only Santiago, the triumphant fisherman with a resolute and irrepressible spirit. He was not unlucky at all....he caught fish and used them as bait. He caught fish and ate to sustain himself. He was a man driven by a single pursuit of one moment to truly live or die trying. Yes, the fish was attacked viciously, but Santiago had reeled him in and proven strong enough to return. Beautiful, heart-aching story of life in all of its understandable and incomprehensible ways.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. As harsh as it may seem, I think others who didn't like it probably didn't get the background and the message. There are so many levels that this novel can be approached at. The relationship between man and nature, both the ugly part and the part where he recognizes its "dignity" and his reliance on it (e.g. when Santiago refers to the marlin as "brother"). Social level, nature of our social motivations and striving - Santiago's background, where he came from, what he does, why - old man, still trying to make his place in the society...Most important - life level - human struggle, perseverance, and how after enduring and triumph, it is still not over (sharks) - man's struggle never ends and such is life. Message that "it's not the destination, it's the journey" - how you get to respect yourself and, if needed, restore your confidence and dignity only through hardship - he brought only a carcass, but his dignity and faith in himself is restored through the pain and struggle he has been through...Beautiful, beautiful novel. The fact that Hemingway wrote it in Cuba makes perfect sense...Fact that he wrote it to prove himself once more after criticism of
Delete"Across the River and into the Trees" also has meaning...Brilliant art...