Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: This book was an enchanting book to read because Ernest Hemingway describes everything so you always have a picture in your mind. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes American classics because this truly is one. Ernest Hemingway is an excellent author and I would like to read more of his books.
Rating:
Summary: Word for word the most lyrical American novel ever written
Review: Hemingway projected power into his writing by using simplicity in his language. The words are vivid and true and real. All of one's senses come alive as Hemingway tells the ultimate fishing tale about a simple man in quest of a great marlin off the coast of Cuba. The human spirit is never nobler than in this little book: word for word I have never read an American author whose work is more lyrical. There are times in the life of nearly everyone to encounter an opportunity to realize one's fondest dream -- and what then? What should one do about the risk to the object of the dream and to oneself by so ardently pursuing it? How can one do otherwise? Is life an extended exercise in futility in the pursuit of unattainable dreams? As Tennyson asked, "Why should life all labor be?" Hemingway in this novel advances the notion that in great quests a human can be killed but not defeated. Because in the merits of the quest, one has the opportunity to transcend personal tragedy and defeat. And there are always more dreams to chase and the truth of that reality brings its own comfort and healing to battered souls. The dialogue between Santiago and the boy, and between the old man and the great old fish is utterly magical. Of course, Hemingway knew these waters well as he lived in both Key West and in Cuba and fished for marlin often. This is one of my favorite novels: it is an excellent novel for younger readers and for adults. Be sure that you and your children read this classic American novel: it is supremely wise -- and the writing, word for word, just doesn't get any better than this.
Rating:
Summary: "Can't put it down for anything" classic!
Review: The book The Old Man and the Sea is a dramatic, devestating, exciting, detailed book. Hemingway's short novel is of an old man named Santiago who goes out on a small fishing boat in hopes of finding the biggest fish. His hopes get very high on his 85th day of fising. The first 40 days a little boy was with him but after 40 days his parents didn't want him away with the old man anymore. To tell you anymore about the book would ruin Hemingway's purpose for writing it. To read the book yourself order it right now. It is definately a "can't put it down for anything" classic. I suggest that you get this book in your hot little hands as soon as possible so you can read it as soon as possible.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Well Written Novella
Review: I thought this book was well written because it was descriptive. Some parts of the book were boring because he droned on and on about one topic. Overall, this book was genuine and original. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes descriptive novels.
Rating:
Summary: One of Hemingway's best Novels
Review: The Old Man and The Sea was a good book all in all. Ernest Hemingway's style of writing is very detailed, you would know that if you read some of his other books. The book starts off talking about the old man named Santiago, and how he hasn't cought a fish in 84-days, but one day when he goes out to fish, he ends up catching a giant marlin that starts dragging him out to sea. I don't want to give the rest of the story away, so I'm not going to tell you anything more about this book. I can tell you this is one of Hemingway's best books that I've read.
Rating:
Summary: Wild ride
Review: Ok, this is the first Hemingway I've read so I'm by no means plugged into his body of work. I will say that the tale is incredibly delightful. It somehow manages to be an epic complete with hero in a novella's length. It is a tall tale that is quite realistic. It has a tragic yet triumphant ending. The book shows the reader what is possible with your life and should be required reading in order to inspire people to live up to Santiago. I can't wait to explore Papa Hemingway some more!
Rating:
Summary: Hemmingway's Excellent Usage of Symbolism
Review: No matter what happens to you right now while reading this book review, you will always have your memories. Memories of when you were younger, strived for more, were stronger and more talented. Even at a very old age, one can think back and "live off his past". The prevailing message in The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemmingway that is true now and forever is that a man can keep his faith in tomorrow by remembering yesterday. The lion in Santiago's (the old man's) dream was an example of how a man has fond memories from his previous years. In my opinion, the lion was a symbol of Santiago himself as he used to be. A lion possesses the same characteristics as a good fisherman like Santiago, and more so how Santiago was when he was young. Both a lion and a good fisherman must be strong and courageous. Santiago also displays feeling of affection and connection when he says on page twenty-five, "He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish... He only dreamed of places now and of lions on the beach. They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them just as he loved the boy." The lions remind Santiago of his current weakness as well as his previous strength. He sees how he was compared to how he is which depresses him but it also helps him keep faith for tomorrow. The boy that was once Santiago's helper symbolizes the faith in tomorrow that Santiago has. The boy used to go out with Santiago to sea everyday and helped him until they lost all luck and didn't catch any fish for months and months. The boy was forced to leave Santiago and help another fisherman. Throughout the novel, the boy had a spark of inspiration for Santiago and always had hope. Even though Santiago and the boy's father constantly recommended the boy not to go out with Santiago, he always wanted to. Even at the end when Santiago returns from his battle for the Marlin, the boy attempts to take care of the old man, convinced that everything will be alright. Santiago's dreams about the lions and the boy that once helped Santiago are both examples of how The Old Man and The Sea demonstrates the importance of memories and the strive for happiness in tomorrow. The reader is made sure to differentiate and assimilate between the two key examples on page twenty five when it states, "...He loved them as he loved the boy. He never dreamed about the boy." Overall, this very figurative and inspirational novel was a pleasure to read because of it's simplicity and relaxed tone. I would recommend this book to anyone who believes in symbolism and that things happen for a reason.
Rating:
Summary: Good, yet understated
Review: Behind the big three (Farewell to Arms, Sun Also Rises, and For Whom the Bell Tolls) this is Hemingway's best work. The man character, a peasant fisherman, is written as simple, old-fashioned, and quaintly charming in an adroit manner that is neither stupid nor cliched. His battles with the sea seem very realistic. The story is basically a parable, man vs. the world. The old man is happy, he has led a good life, and he has found a struggle worth giving his life up for: perhaps the biggest fish ever caught. Unlike other ethnocentric Hemingway works, Hemingway shows a more deft sensitivity here, even deigning to give the fish a soul, if you can believe such a thing. Check this one out. It's short, and definitely worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Life's struggles should never get you down...
Review: This book left me feeling - no matter what, I should never get down about life's struggles. The old man in this book struggled for days to get the big marlin, only to lose it on the way back home. He hoped the marlin would bring him success and fame - however in the end he realized that was not the point of his mission. It was a great book to put my life back in perspective! Better than any self help book...
Rating:
Summary: A Good Novella
Review: This is a great story about an old fisherman that tries to capture a huge marlin on the coast of Havana, Cuba. It is surprising that he an catch a fish of that size on such a small boat, and with litte strength. This is a great book for a class to read.
| 
