A book review

The old man and the sea is a novella written by Hemingway. It tells a story about the old man and his struggle with fate. The story is interesting and attractive. I gain a lot from this book.

The novel “The Old Man and the Sea" is based on real people and true events. After the end of World War I, Hemingway moved to Cuba and met the old fisherman Gregorio Fuentes. In 1930, Hemingway's ship sank in a storm, and Fuentes rescued Hemingway. Since then, Hemingway and Fuentes have formed a deep friendship and often go fishing together. Gregorio Fuentes was the prototype of the old man in the book.

The old man and the sea tells a story that an elderly Cuban fisherman wrestles with a giant marlin in a Gulf Stream. The old fisherman did not catch a fish for eighty-four days but he still refuse to admit defeat. He was full of fighting spirit and finally caught a large marlin which was eighteen feet long and weighing fifteen hundred pounds on the eighty-fifth day. The big fish dragged the boat to the sea and the old man still held on to it. Even if there was no water, no food, no weapons, no assistants, and cramps in his left hand, he was not discouraged in the slightest. After two days and two nights, he finally killed the big fish and tied it to the side of the boat. But many sharks immediately came to snatch his booty. He killed them one by one and in the end only a broken tiller remained as a weapon. As a result, the big fish still not to escape the fate of being eaten by the sharks. In the end, the old man dragged back a pair of fish bones exhausted. He returned home and lay in bed and had to find the good old days from his dreams to forget the harsh reality.

The old man and the sea lets me learn the truth of life. The story of the old man and the sea is very simple. However, the deep meaning behind the article should be taken seriously. The simple experience of the old man lets us know that we should face setbacks bravely. Let me take my examples to illustrate this. The experience of the old man reminds me the junior year of high school. My goal was like the big fish which was very difficult to achieve. I tried my best to study hard, however, my grades still not change and even dropped. Feeling disappointed and despaired, I stopped studying hard for a while. After a week, I realized that my action was unproper. Consecutive failures were terrible but my attitude was more terrible. I decided to give myself a chance. Firstly, I seek advice from my teachers. Secondly, I changed my methods to study. Finally, I adjusted my mentality. Although I still not make progress in a short time, my goal became more and more higher after a few months. My spirit is like the old man. Facing many setbacks, we both choose to keep going and never admit defeat. Eventually, my college entrance examination scores were satisfying. Despite study, I also learn the old man’s spirit in my life. The time when I was a freshman was really impressive to me. It is the first time that I should stay in a big school and live very far from my parents. What’s worst, I can’t come back home on weekends because of epidemic situation. Facing unfamiliar environment, I was truly painful and lonely. I even didn’t know why I should go to the college. However, I tried my best to overcome all the difficulties. I made friends with many people, studying more independently, asking seniors for advices. Gradually, I adjusted to university life and loved it. The old man motivates me to try my best to overcome all the trouble.

The old man and the sea lets me learn the writing skill. As a English learner, I always use many complex words and flowery rhetoric when I write the article. But I find that the words of the old man and the sea are simple and clear. The simple and clear words don’t make the book normal. On the contrary, simple and clear words make profound truth more real and believable. I realize that complex words and flowery rhetoric aren’t suitable to all kind of article. If I want to write an article to illustrate the truths, I need to choose the simple and clear words just like Hemingway. Holstoum, a member of the Swedish Academy of Letters, praised Hemingway: "The Old Man and the Sea is an exceptionally powerful and concise work with an irresistible beauty. ”

The old man and the sea teaches me the essential truth of life and the useful writing skill. It worth reading. I will recommend it to my friends and read it again.

2023-01-29

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