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A review by palmsygal
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
3.5
*small spoilers are in this review*
I was worried about this book: I was not sure how I would find it or if I would enjoy it. Safe to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
I think it is easy for people to be shouting “give up, cut the line” at this book, as we see problem after problem arise. However, in my opinion, we must take note of Santiago’s character to combat this narrative. This man has gone days without a catch, which is sad in itself, but I think he is most likely more upset about disappointing possibly the only true friend he cares for, the young boy Manolin. Furthermore, Santiago truly ended up loving his caught fish, how was he to simply let it go after such beauty and triumph? I also feel he believed he HAD to bring it home for the fish’s sake more than his own: he took its life and watched it deteriorate, but still wanted the fish to bring HIM in.
It was quite a heartbreaking end. Santiago remained hopeful and undefeated, and still ended up weeping due to the cruel demise of his fish friend. We even see the marlin reduced to a simple ‘shark’ description to passers-by.
While I understand this book relies on pride and perseverance as its main focus, I think we see a tale of love, guilt and character development too. Santiago was fully immersed in killing the marlin but was so remorseful at the end, and he did regret what had happened.
As a final note, after understanding the ending of Hemingway’s life, I do wonder if the contemplation of life that Santiago had throughout this book mirrored what Hemingway was also believing and thinking in real time.
I was worried about this book: I was not sure how I would find it or if I would enjoy it. Safe to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
I think it is easy for people to be shouting “give up, cut the line” at this book, as we see problem after problem arise. However, in my opinion, we must take note of Santiago’s character to combat this narrative. This man has gone days without a catch, which is sad in itself, but I think he is most likely more upset about disappointing possibly the only true friend he cares for, the young boy Manolin. Furthermore, Santiago truly ended up loving his caught fish, how was he to simply let it go after such beauty and triumph? I also feel he believed he HAD to bring it home for the fish’s sake more than his own: he took its life and watched it deteriorate, but still wanted the fish to bring HIM in.
It was quite a heartbreaking end. Santiago remained hopeful and undefeated, and still ended up weeping due to the cruel demise of his fish friend. We even see the marlin reduced to a simple ‘shark’ description to passers-by.
While I understand this book relies on pride and perseverance as its main focus, I think we see a tale of love, guilt and character development too. Santiago was fully immersed in killing the marlin but was so remorseful at the end, and he did regret what had happened.
As a final note, after understanding the ending of Hemingway’s life, I do wonder if the contemplation of life that Santiago had throughout this book mirrored what Hemingway was also believing and thinking in real time.