Book Review

The Old Man and the Sea is a medium-length novel written by Ernest Hemingway in 1952. It is also the last novel published by him. As one of his most famous woks, it tells the story of an old fisherman who fought with a huge marlin in the Gulf Stream far away from the shore. Also, this book has established Hemingway’s prominent position in the world literature.0n May 4th, 1953, Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize for The Olod Man and the Sea. “Because of his virtuosity in the art of fiction, which is fully demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea, but also because of his influence on contemporary style…” , this is the words when Hemingway awarded the Nobel Prize. The story of The old Man and the Sea is set in Cuba, in the middle of the 20th centuy. The main chanacter is an old fishermen named Santiago. Santiago didn’t catch any fish for 84 days and almost starved to death. He didn’t give up , fortunately in the 85th day he caught a marlin with 18 feet long and 1500 pounds. The big marlin dragged the boat to the sea but old man fought with it. On the way home, the Old man finally killed the marlin and at the same time some sharks that wanted to eat the big fish. Eventually , Santiago went back with the marlin eaten up , exhusted. He lay in bed and had to find the good old days from his dream to forget the cuel reality. From my perspective, I think the most attractive part of this book is the plot and its arrangement, especially after the old man caught the big marlin. The descriptions of the surroundings and actions are incredible, which show the process of the old man fighting with the big marlin or sharks. The Shark closed fast astem and when he hit the fih, the old man saw his mouth open and his strange eyes and the clicking chop of the teeth as he drove forward in the meat just above it.” “ He took my harpoon too and all trope the.” The shark swung over and the old man saw his eyes was not alive and then he swung over once again wrapping himself in two loops of the rope. (Thses’re for actions)The sky was clouding over the east and one after another the stars he knew were gone. It looked now as though he were moving into a great canyon of clouds and the wind had dropped. (This is for the surroundings) The use of verb phrases makes the character more real and also more attract we readers’ eyes on the plots. Also, the other point I want to mention is the main character, Santiago. He is an old man ,living in a poor house with little furniture. He is alone bnt luckily a little boy is willing to accompany and help him when he caught ond fought with “his enemies” on the fishing boat, he cdidn’t have suffient food, water or even help. But all we can see from him is his faith, his courage and his perseverance. He is optimistic ,even though he has not caught any fish for a long time. He is strong and determined so he did most of hard job by himself. And I still remember that Santiago once said “But man is not made for defeat” , he said, “A man can be destroyed but not defeted.” It encunoges me and I hope it’ll also encourage you. The Old Man and the Sea shows a struggling outlok on life, though in the face of the unconquerable nature, people still can get the spiritual victory. So that’s why I want to recmond ths book to all of you. Everyone could learn something and has his or her own thoughts after reading. I hope those who want to read this novel will enjoin it.